Chester Chef saves a life by simple act of kindness #News

Victoria Hayes
12th May 2021

There’s no doubt that lockdown has been hard. It’s been hard on businesses and finances, relationships and friendships and undoubtedly on mental health. #mentalhealthawarennessweek 

The rainbow in all of this though, is the strength and power of people coming together to look after each other. We’ve heard lots of stories about great acts of charity and selflessness during the pandemic, but a story came out this week which I thought was incredible, about a small act of kindness that made a huge difference to someone’s life.

The story first came to my attention through an anonymous posting on Chester’s Biggest Community Notice Board on Facebook and We are also keeping the lady’s name confidential for reasons I’m sure you will understand.

The lady in question was having a really tough time in February 2021. She lost her job just before Christmas and her husband left her for another woman in January leaving her a single parent in charge of 3 children all under the age of ten.

This was such a difficult time for her. She was completely overwhelmed and over time, her negative thoughts progressed to the point where she no longer wished to live. She bought some tablets to take that night before bed and was hoping to float away from the world.

Thankfully though, she had previously seen a post on social media about Phil Jones, a furloughed chef who was supplying children with free school meals. Lots of parents were in dire need due to the pandemic, cuts and poverty and happily, this lady had had the courage to reach out and ask for help for her children.

She had forgotten that night that she had arranged for Phil to deliver some meals and when he knocked at the door, she answered with tears streaming down her face.

He smiled, gave her the meals and asked if everything was ok. In the moment, that act of kindness saved her life. She blurted everything out to Phil and although restrictions meant he couldn’t give her a hug, he crouched down as she sat on the step and listened.

Phil understood and took that time to persuade her to hand over the tablets she had purchased and gave her some information where she could get some proper support as he was, “just a chef”.

She had never met him before, but by taking that time with her, he made everything ok and she says he will forever be her hero.

We are happy to report both that the lady is doing ok now and is getting the correct support and also that her family have reached out to Phil to thank him for saving her life. 

We will add our thanks to Phil Jones, for setting an example of human kindness. As Roman Kemp said on his recent documentary about suicide, “‘Are you ok?’ is the most important question you can ask.”  By asking that question, there is no doubt Phil Jones saved a lady’s life and returned a mother to her children.

This incredible story is being shared with us, not to bring anyone down, but to uplift us with the knowledge that doing our small bits of kindness make a huge difference.

Joe Whittick from Whitmore and White in our recent interview told me that their delivery service ended up being partially a support service for those isolating or trapped in lockdown without family. Delivery people being the only point of human contact for hours, days, sometimes weeks at a time.

The lockdown is lifting, and so are our spirits, but let’s please all remember to be kind, because it really does make all the difference.

Phil Jones runs Pop Up Picnics Chester Ltd and has been featured in both local and national press for his work during the pandemic, supporting local families, key workers, the elderly and the homeless by cooking hundreds of free meals.

Phil’s food is delicious and we look forward to Phil joining us at our food markets and festivals in future.