Food Exchange Volunteer

Purpose of Role:

This flexible opportunity is to join a team of people setting up and running an accessible food and household good exchange service within Sherwood. The exchange will encourage the donation by individuals and organisations of surplus items for the benefit of all, particularly people facing or at risk of experiencing financial hardship.

ROLE DESCRIPTION:

Your invited to volunteer in the exchange for a minimum of two hours per month (but you could do more if you wish) on a rota system to serve visitors, take in donations, check, and rotate food stock and provide advice and support when required to customers who visit the exchange on Saturday afternoons.

As this role may involve some lone or unsupervised working at times and you might encounter vulnerable adults or adults in need of care, applicants must be aged over 18 and two recent references are required. Full training and guidance will be provided.

You will also have the opportunity to have time ‘paid’ back in time bank hours which other people volunteer into a time bank. ‘Time’ volunteered into the time bank can be anything from time from another person who volunteers to undertake tasks such as you’re gardening or domestic cleaning. Or time to bake a cake or undertake small repairs on items you might require fixing.

Experience is not necessary although we would be keen to hear from people who have worked or still work in customer service roles or people who have a passion for helping other people, and, or the environment and preventing food poverty.

Two recent references are required to undertake this role and availability to attend and informal interview meeting either in person, over the phone or via Microsoft teams, Skype or Zoom

We are not currently in a position to meet volunteer expenses, but we hope to be able to do so in the near future.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential
Polite and engaging
Caring and helpful towards others
Able to volunteer alongside other people in a team
Able to volunteer on your own at times or willing to volunteer on your own in the exchange when colleagues are busy with customers.
Able to undertake light cleaning and other essential tasks within the exchange
Reliable
Good listening skills or willingness to learn techniques
A passion to promote equality, protect the environment and prevent poverty

Desirable
Work experience of working or volunteering in a kitchen or in the food industry
Hold a Food Hygiene qualification
Experience of working or volunteering in a team
Experience of working or volunteering in social care
Experience of working or volunteering in customer service
Experience of supporting people in distress
Experience or knowledge of signposting people to support services in Nottingham
A recent Disclosure and Barring certificate

WHEN REQUIRED:

This grid shows when you can volunteer for this opportunity.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Are there age restrictions for this opportunity?: Yes

Age Restrictions: Over 18

Are there gender restrictions for this opportunity?: No

Gender restrictions: None

Is the opportunity accessible to disabled people?: Yes

Disability restrictions: Please talk to us about your access needs

How long before volunteer can expect a response?: We will try to respond to volunteer enquiries within one week

How long to complete training and recruitment?:

This opportunity has a comprehensive training programme. See Role Description for more information.

Volunteer Expenses offered?: No – but we hope to be able to offer these when funding permits

Induction and Training offered?: Yes

Support and Supervision offered?: Yes

Has a risk assessment been carried out?: Yes

DBS Disclosure required?: No

Next Steps

Interested? Enquire now.