Cook jobs in islington, greater london

About Katherine Low Settlement  

Katherine Low Settlement is a busy, local charity that has been serving Battersea and the wider Wandsworth community since 1924. We are dedicated to building stronger communities and enable people to challenge and find ways out of poverty and isolation.

We run a range of our own community services to support local older people and children, young people, and their families from refugee communities. We campaign for social change. We incubate and support other charities and social businesses to thrive. Each week we work with 30+ charities and community groups supporting more than 1,000 people.

Katherine Low Settlement’s work with older people 

Katherine Low Settlement has worked with older people since its conception in 1924.They are a core part of the community that we continue to work with. We provide, often in partnership, a range of projects and activities for older people including health and wellbeing; creative arts; intergenerational work; connecting people and trips/outings. 

Our services include Battersea Bites, Age Well and Core social activities and digital inclusion.

We work with people 50+ to: 

• Encourage active and independent living 

• Reduce isolation and loneliness 

• Improve well-being and prevent ill-health 

• Engage members to be dynamic and contributing members of the Wandsworth community.

Key Objectives for this Role 

Oversee the day-to-day running of our Battersea Bites Programme that includes a lunch club for people 50+ that runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and a healthy eating session on Mondays. This includes leading in the planning, shopping and preparation and provision of meals, the responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen including overseeing a team of volunteers and ensuring compliance with relevant Health & Safety and Food Hygiene requirements. 

Roles & Responsibilities 

Planning 

• Plan and develop a monthly lunch service menu, a month in advance, using creative license to provide nutritious, varied, and satisfying meals that meet diverse dietary requirements (e.g., allergies, cultural needs, vegetarian/vegan options) while strictly adhering to Health & Safety and food hygiene regulations. 

• Develop ideas for Battersea Bites Healthy cook and eat/ other sessions with the Age Well Team.

• Handle purchases and expense tracking using the Soldo card, ensuring full compliance with the bank card usage policy, and submitting all receipts and records promptly and accurately for financial oversight and reporting, for which training can be provided.

• Create several themed menus throughout the year which will engage members. For example, a Summer Lunch, an Afternoon Tea, etc.

• Support the planning of the older people’s lunch club with older people themselves

• Support the Elders team to welcome and support new members to feel part of the programme. 

Delivery 

• Complete a weekly food shop either online (we currently use Asda delivery service) or locally, buying fresh ingredients weekly which fall within the financial budget. 

• Prepare, cook and serve healthy meals, ensuring dietary needs are met 

• Undertake stock control such as stock rotation, ensuring all food items are labelled with expiry dates and disposed of when necessary. 

• Ensure all equipment is ready and set up for the lunch club service. 

• Ensure the security of the kitchen and store cupboards to provide a safe working environment. (Our cupboards are locked.)

• To ensure routine day-to-day as well as specialised cleaning of kitchen equipment, work surfaces, kitchen floors and storage areas. 

• Keep accurate and up-to-date records, including the health and safety folder containing opening and closing checks. Training can be provided.

• Ensure your hygiene and cleanliness are of the highest standard, and those of anyone entering the kitchen, including volunteers, are suitably dressed and uphold the same standards 

• Be part of and work closely with the Elders Team at KLS 

• Support elders who attend the club so that the sessions are safe and enjoyable for them.

• Inform the Manager (or in their absence the Head of Service) of any concerning incidents, compliments, complaints or accidents (including safeguarding issues).

• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills by quickly and calmly addressing kitchen challenges and ensuring smooth meal preparation under pressure.

• Take part in the monitoring and evaluation of the programme under the guidance of the Managers of the 50+ programme

• Coordinate with staff and volunteers to ensure efficient meal service.

• To attend any relevant training sessions to ensure that you are fully equipped to perform your role effectively

• To actively assist in the continuation of our high food hygiene rating

• Have acquired or are willing to Level 2 and Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

• Actively participate in meetings such as supervision and appraisals, and staff meetings. The manager reviews progress, reflects on goals, and completes agreed actions and tasks within set deadlines to support ongoing development and programme success.

Coordination of Battersea Bites Volunteers 

• Form and build positive working relationships with volunteers who work within Battersea Bites. 

• Take responsibility for coordinating individual volunteers and respond effectively to their feedback, and report any concerns to the Core Manager.

Undertake Other Duties

• To comply with any reasonable request from KLS Management to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

Person Specification 

Essential Experience & Skills

• Track record of catering and basic cooking
• Proven experience of working or volunteering with older and/or vulnerable people in community settings
• Strong communication skills – both verbal and written
• Understanding of healthy eating and nutrition
• Full understanding of health & safety, including food hygiene (though training is also provided)
• Personal attributes to include being caring and compassionate / hard working / organised / creative / take initiative / reliable / ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work as part of a small team, whilst also working independently
• Committed to KLS’s mission, vision and values

Desirable Experience & Skills

• Experience of overseeing volunteers
• Knowledge of Battersea / Wandsworth

Further Information 

•  Katherine Low Settlement is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
• All offers to work at Katherine Low Settlement are subject to satisfactory references, which is standard KLS policy applicable to all roles. KLS also ask for an enhanced DBS (formerly known as CRB) check 
•  You will adhere to matters of confidentiality concerning this role and the KLS team

The above job description reflects the position at the time of writing; it is not intended to be a task list but indicates the general level of work involved. It is expected that duties will be reviewed and revised as required.

Role Summary

Join our team and help us improve public sector food across the UK with our School Plates and new Hospital Plates programmes. We're looking for a passionate and driven Chef Trainer to support schools and hospitals in delivering healthier and more sustainable menus.

The programmes continue to go from strength to strength. Through School Plates, we currently support over a third of all UK local authorities, catering for more than 12,000 schools and feeding over 1.25 million children daily. To date, we have been responsible for swapping over 50 million school meals from meat-based to meat-free or plant-based. We're now expanding our successful model into the health sector with our new Hospital Plates programme, bringing the same positive change to patient and staff menus.

Are you a skilled chef trainer with a passion for improving public food? Can you match our ambition? You'll be using your culinary expertise to train catering teams in both schools and hospitals, provide menu advice, and get involved with recipe development and culinary education. You will also run cooking workshops for pupils in secondary schools, inspiring the next generation to get excited about plant-based food. You will also build and manage relationships with our catering partners, helping them deliver delicious and sustainable meals. This is a UK-wide role and will require travel to different sites.

We’re looking for someone to join our team for 3 days a week but are open to applicants looking for flexible working hours, including, potentially, 4 days a week.

Job Details

Job Title: Chef Trainer - School Plates & Hospital Plates 
Reporting to: Programme Manager, UK
Location: Remote (home-based with travel across UK) 
Hours: 21-28 hours per week (0.6-0.8 FTE)
Salary: £32,000 per annum pro rata (based on 1.0 FTE) 

 

Responsibilities

As our Chef Trainer & Programme Support, you'll be a key player in developing and delivering our School Plates and Hospital Plates programmes. You'll use your culinary expertise and passion for food system change to create resources, train professionals, and engage with our partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Recipe Development & Training: You'll co-lead the creation, testing, and development of new plant-based recipes for our school and hospital programmes, and lead on developing ‘grab-and-go’ and internationally inspired options for secondary schools. You'll also plan and deliver training sessions, including in-person and online workshops, and create e-learning courses for caterers.

• Programme Development & Support: Work closely with programme managers to develop and refine the strategy for our initiatives. This includes supporting pilot programmes, measuring their impact, and creating bespoke catering resources for our partners.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Represent our organisation at events and in meetings, providing expert catering advice and information on our programmes. Collaborate with our communications manager to create engaging content, including recipes and videos for our website, e-learning platform and social media.

• Education & Outreach: Partner with our education manager to plan and co-deliver secondary school cooking workshops. These sessions will teach pupils basic plant-based culinary skills that align with the National Curriculum as well as inspire the next generation to choose plant-forward options and learn about the impact of their food choices in a positive way.

• Inspire Catering Teams: Your role is to build and maintain relationships with catering partners, providing expert catering advice and practical recipe suggestions. You'll work with them directly on pilot programmes, offering bespoke support to inspire positive menu changes. You'll also provide essential administrative support for our programmes and help create and deliver presentations to promote our work to a wider audience.

Qualifications

    Essential

• Experienced in planning and delivering cooking workshops to groups.

• Experience of working in a culinary setting and developing recipes with a strong interest in plant-based recipes.

• Excellent communication skills and be a confident and engaging educator.

• Flexible and agile approach, with a willingness to be a true team player and fill gaps as needed.

• Proactive with initiative and drive.

• Strong organisational skills.

• Attention to detail.

• Solution-focused and resilient.

• Confident in creating basic spreadsheets and slide decks.

• Ability to work well under pressure and manage time effectively in a fast-paced and small but fast-growing non-profit work environment.

• Ability to work well unsupervised with experience of working in remote teams with a reliable internet connection.

• Passionate about food systems change.

• Alignment with our vision and mission.

• Based in the UK and able to attend meetings, events, and training to represent the team and programme across the UK.

• Willing to travel across the UK for workshops and events. 

Desirable

• Experience of working within school and/or hospital food. 

• Experience of food photography and creating recipe content for social platforms or online courses. 

• Experience of managing projects.

• Experience of liaising with local authorities, schools, or other public sector bodies.

• Experience in the field of nutrition, including an interest in plant-based nutrition.

• Experience of working in the food, health or environmental sector.

• Experience of using customer relationship management (CRM) systems (training will be provided).

Benefits of working with us

• Generous annual leave entitlement - 25 days per year, with an additional day granted at the start of each calendar up to a maximum of 30 days (plus bank holidays)

• A strong organisational focus on personal development, with a designated training budget.

• Provision of a work laptop.

• Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home-office arrangements.

• Career development support

• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption pay

• Compassionate animal companion leave

• Employee Assistance Programme including counselling

• Access to 24/7 virtual GP Service

• Mindfulness support via a free Headspace account for you and up to 5 friends or family members

• Access to the Wisdom app with exclusive perks and discounts

• Membership to the OpenUp platform

• We are a workplace that encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to work. We are an inclusive workplace for our diverse employees around the world.

• And, last but not least, become part of a great team and work with us towards a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet!

When?

Application deadline: 5th October 2025
Start date: November 2025

Application process and timeline 

Please submit your application using our online form including your CV and cover letter. By submitting your application you agree that your personal data will be processed by and shared with our UK entity (ProVeg C.I.C.) and German entity (ProVeg e.V.). 

The recruitment process consists of two rounds: 1): an online trial task; 2): an interview with the Programme Manager and Director. 
 

• Application deadline: 5th October 2025

• Online trial task: sent to longlisted candidates by 10th October 5pm, to be completed by 12 October at 5pm 

• Interviews: take place on 21st and 22nd October 2025

• Start date: November 2025

The Choir with No Name London – Choir Manager
Part time (20 hours per week)

£35,057.32 (pro rata)
One-year fixed term with possibility of extension

About us:

The Choir with No Name runs choirs and builds joyful singing communities with people impacted by homelessness and marginalisation, around the UK. We currently have choirs in Birmingham, Liverpool, London, Brighton, Coventry, Cardiff and Sheffield.

We were founded on the premise that singing makes you feel good - it helps you to build confidence, skills and genuine, long-lasting friendships. Our choir members are people who have experienced homelessness, or who are going through a tough time in their lives. Our choirs are a supportive, safe space for people to be among friends, where they can experience the joy of singing together, have fun, build confidence and skills, and feel more able to tackle life's other challenges, such as securing housing or finding work.

What we do is simple: our choirs meet once a week for a cuppa and a catch up, we then sing our hearts out for an hour and a half and sit down together afterwards for a hot meal cooked by volunteers.

We perform regularly at a whole load of different places, including local homeless hostels, community festivals and world-class venues, such as the Cadogan Hall and Brighton Dome. Gigs are a highlight for everyone at the Choir with No Name, offering members something to work towards together and feel proud of, showcasing their many talents to the world. The thrill of performing in front of appreciative audiences in inspirational venues can instil a sense of purpose and self-worth that may have been lost along the way.

We also deliver community projects for people at risk of homelessness, or who are experiencing related issues (such as mental health challenges, drug and alcohol addiction, refugees and asylum seekers) in each of the cities where we work, motivated by a desire to share the joy of singing with as many people experiencing isolation and marginalisation as possible, and hopefully recruit a few more choir members along the way!

About the role:

We are looking for a highly motivated and creative manager for our London choir involving people impacted by homelessness. You’ll be part of a supportive team at CWNN and will work closely with our choir director to deliver fun, inclusive, welcoming rehearsals and gigs throughout the year.

This is an exciting and varied role working with our choir members and volunteers to support the safe running of weekly rehearsals, as well as delivering regular gigs and outreach workshops across London (and beyond!).  You will need to be available to attend Monday night rehearsals in Stoke Newington London and have an understanding of working with people who have experienced complex trauma. We are looking for someone with impeccable organisational skills and the ability to multitask, as well the ability to take a creative approach to delivering inclusive group activities. Experience in volunteer and project/event management is desirable, as is a love of music and an understanding of the positive impact of singing together.

If you think you have the skills and drive to successfully manage our fabulous London choir, then get in touch!

The closing date for applications is Monday 22nd September at 9am

SHAK (South Hampstead and Kilburn Community Partnership) is a resident led charity based on the Alexandra and Ainsworth estate in the Kilburn Ward of Camden, London, dedicated to supporting residents and young people living in an area of high deprivation. 

Our Mission is to work with local young people and adults to improve well-being, inclusion and life chances by nurturing talents, passions, skills and confidence. 

Our Vision is of a place where everyone can live, learn and grow together. 

We do this by identifying and meeting local needs with a range of opportunities in areas of lifelong learning, youth activities, community involvement, employment support, advice and guidance, volunteering, events etc. 

If successful you will be based at “The ARC Youth Club”, an estate based youth led centre with integrated music studio, kitchen, games and "chill-out" space. The ARC engages approximately 250 young people per year and plays a vital role in their welfare and development outside of school. In holidays we offer a full program of activities and free meals for young people who may otherwise miss out. 

You will deliver a range of activities e.g. cooking, arts & crafts, sports, trips, music, events etc. You will also offer support and guidance for local young people and enable them to develop life long skills while designing and running their own projects, forums etc. In school holidays you will be required to work an expected 28 hrs a week as we offer a full program of activities and free meals for young people 

At SHAK we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from those from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds. 

Duties Include: 

Promoting and delivering activities for young people aged 9-19 yrs  (up to 25yrs for young people with SEND), 3 nights a week during term time, hours 3-8pm (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday), and 4 days a week during school holidays, hours 11.30am-7pm (Tuesday-Friday). There also may be times when you are required to work outside of these hours 

Engaging with a range of young people from diverse backgrounds and with multiple needs 

Ensuring safeguarding standards are maintained and other policies and procedures are upheld 

Facilitate and support intergenerational projects  

Working in partnership with other organisations to meet local needs 

Acting as an effective part of youth team and wider SHAK team supporting community activities as needed 

Admin and reporting duties as required 

Skills & Experience 

• Minimum Level 3 youth work qualification or equivalent and significant, relevant experience of youth service delivery. 

• Experience of engaging girls in youth programmes successfully 

• Knowledge of youth policies, safeguarding procedures and legislation 

• Good communication, people skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team. 

• Ability to relate, support and engage with wide range of young people 

• Proficient with computers, social media and other modern technologies 

Personal Attributes 

• Highly motivated and driven by positive values and commitment to motivating others  

• Flexible and adaptable against a background of change 

• Resourceful- ability to work on own initiative and solve problems 

• Good punctuality, organisational and presentation skills 

• Creativity, resilience & commitment 

All recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices’ 

If successful an enhanced DBS check will be required. 

This post is covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010). 

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Recovery Worker to play a pivotal role in our Complex Needs Service in Ealing.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

The main purpose of this role is to empower a caseload of service users to manage their health and wellbeing, maintain their independence, identify their strengths and achieve their goals and aspirations, under the direction of the Service Manager. This is a 24/7 service and will require you to complete sleep in shifts as well as cooking for service users at the weekends as well. This can result in longer but few days worked but you will on average only work 39 hours per week.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Here's what the team will be looking for

In this role, you will bring experience of working with individuals who have mental health needs and dual diagnosis, gained in either paid or voluntary settings. You will be committed to working in a calm, non-judgemental, and anti-discriminatory way, with an optimistic belief in each client's capacity for positive change. You will take a solution-focused approach, working constructively and collaboratively to address challenges, while using de-escalation skills to support clients who may display difficult or challenging behaviour.

You will also demonstrate flexibility and reliability, with the ability to work unsociable hours, including early, late, overnight and weekend shifts as required by the rota. You will be quick to learn, able to gather and process information effectively, make defensible decisions, and record detailed and accurate information to be shared appropriately within the framework of confidentiality. Most importantly, you will show a strong understanding of safeguarding, ensuring that issues are identified and addressed promptly to maintain the safety and wellbeing of service users at all times.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for an Intervention Worker to play a pivotal role in our Criminal Justice Service in Battersea.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

Approved Premises (APs) work with high-risk people released from prison, providing a vital element in public protection arrangements. APs offer a level of contact, support and supervision within the community that is unique within the Criminal Justice System. This is an opportunity to be part of a dedicated, enthusiastic staff team at our male Approved Premises in Battersea, playing a key role in pro-social modelling, rehabilitation and community reintegration for those ready to make positive choices.

Working closely with Probation Officers and other community services such as police, health, housing and substance misuse, we provide a stepping stone from prison into the community.

As a member of the Approved Premises team, you will model pro-social behavior and foster a positive, respectful culture with both clients and colleagues. You will actively engage with residents, supporting communal activities such as meal preparation, and contribute to the delivery of individual sentence plans in collaboration with probation officers, police, and external agencies.

Your role will involve providing administrative and practical support, ensuring daily tasks are completed, and following all operational protocols. You will encourage compliance and enforce rules relating to curfews and drug and alcohol testing as required. Keeping colleagues, multi-agency partners, and management informed is essential.

You will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the health, safety, security, cleanliness, and well-being of the premises and residents, utilizing tools such as CCTV, observation, and direct personal contact. Accurate, timely record-keeping and appropriate information sharing with respect for confidentiality are critical components of this role.

Using your initiative, you will identify and address additional tasks or emerging issues, working within the service to maintain an enabling environment. Adherence to the Approved Premises Manual, Hestia policies, and relevant justice service requirements is expected, alongside consistently demonstrating The Hestia Approach.

This role involves working closely with high-risk offenders transitioning from prison to community life, providing a unique level of daily support, supervision, and tailored interventions. You will empower residents to take responsibility for themselves while maintaining appropriate boundaries and supervision. The position operates on a rolling rota covering early, late, weekend, and night shifts to ensure continuous support and public protection.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Here's what the team will be looking for

The ideal candidate will have a strong ability to engage and communicate effectively with others, demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness in their approach. They should maintain an optimistic outlook regarding people's capacity for change and the possibility of positive outcomes. A quick learner who can efficiently gather information and make well-founded decisions is essential.

The candidate must be able to maintain firm boundaries and exercise authority legitimately while working in a pro-social and positive manner. Competence in receiving, processing, and accurately recording detailed information is required, along with ensuring appropriate sharing of information within confidentiality guidelines. An understanding of the emotional and behavioral impacts of trauma is important, as is the ability to work sensitively with individuals who display a wide range of emotions, behaviors, and communication challenges.

The candidate should be a team player who leads by example and takes a practical, hands-on approach to tasks such as cooking, gardening, household chores, and leisure activities. Finally, knowledge of safeguarding principles and the ability to identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns are essential.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Waking Night Support Worker to join our Mental Health service in Newham. No personal care or experience is required, just the right values.

£21,606.00 per annum, working 30 hours per week.

Shift Pattern:

The role involves working on a rota pattern which will be three nights per week working 10 hours only each night on a seven day rota

Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Specific details about the service and team. If individual care role - details about the person.

What you'll do:

Night Support Workers enable people with particular needs to manage their tenancies and live independent lives of their choosing in the community. Night Support Workers are responsible for ensuring continuity of a support service at night and for keeping customers and the building safe.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and administrative responsibilities
Conducting key work sessions as required, that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'
Providing support with daily living activities, including practical assistance to support customers to independent living e.g. budgeting, cooking, establishing a night time routine
Supporting customers to maintain a healthy environment and where appropriate assisting them to clean their accommodation and maintain good personal hygiene

What you'll bring:

Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
Prefers working as part of a group or team
Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organized
Able to apply the right balance of care and support dependant on the needs of the customer
Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour
Ability to adhere to Look Ahead's professional boundaries policy
Flexible

For our full job description please visit our webiste
Essential:

NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with little or some previous relevant sector work experience
About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Waking Night Support Worker to join our Mental Health Service located in Richmond.

£22,311.00 per annum, working 30 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS (take this out if BSW advert)
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Night Support Workers enable people with particular needs to manage their tenancies and live independent lives of their choosing in the community. Night Support Workers are responsible for ensuring continuity of a support service at night and for keeping customers and the building safe.

The shift pattern of this role consist of: Week 1: Moff, T10, W10, Toff, Foff, Soff, S10
Week 2: M10, Toff, Woff, Toff, F10, S10, Soff

What you'll do:
- Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
- Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and administrative responsibilities
- Conducting key work sessions as required, that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
- Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'
- Providing support with daily living activities, including practical assistance to support customers to independent living e.g. budgeting, cooking, establishing a night time routine
- Supporting customers to maintain a healthy environment and where appropriate assisting them to clean their accommodation and maintain good personal hygiene
- Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents
- Managing customer referrals, completing assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes
- Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues
- Involving customers in the design, development and delivery of the service - Encouraging and enabling tenants to pay their rent and avoid personal debt

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
- Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
- Prefers working as part of a group or team
- Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
- Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organized
- Able to apply the right balance of care and support dependant on the needs of the customer

What you'll bring:

Essential:
- NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with little or some previous relevant sector work experience

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:
* We focus on Excellence and innovation.
* We are Caring and Compassionate.
* We are Inclusive and Trusted.
* We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Please see our website for full Job Description

Food Sustainability Project Coordinator

Location: Mainly our head office in E12, but also in other venues around the borough of Newham as directed.

Salary: £36,934 per annum

Hours: 36 hours per week

Vacancy Type: 4-year fixed term, funded by the National Lottery Community FundAbout the Renewal Programme 

For over five decades, the Renewal Programme has been a trusted cornerstone of the community in the London Borough of Newham, tackling the root causes and consequences of poverty, isolation, and disadvantage.

Role overview

This role is central to our mission to support sustainable living, reduce food waste, tackle local food insecurity, and foster meaningful community connections. As a key part of delivering the vision set out in our National Lottery-funded RenewALL Hub proposal, you will ensure our food provision goes beyond meeting immediate needs to build inclusion, wellbeing, and pathways into wider community support.

Your primary responsibility will be to secure regular donations of surplus food by developing and maintaining strong partnerships with local supermarkets, shops, restaurants, and national redistribution organisations like the Newham Food Alliance, Felix Project, and Feeding Britain.

You will manage the effective use of this food across our services, including the foodbank, food pantry, warm meals programme, and cooking classes. This will involve careful stock management, menu planning, and coordinating with lead staff to ensure our food provision meets Newham’s environmental, health, and cultural needs. A key part of this will be overseeing the successful operation and promotion of our expanded food pantry.

Coordinating volunteers will be essential, particularly in managing and expanding our cargo bike fleet for surplus food collection and redistribution. You will also explore opportunities to monetise these sustainable transport services. To further engage the community, you will organise and host quarterly workshops on reducing food waste and eating on a budget.

Ultimately, you will play a vital role in coordinating our surplus food operations, managing volunteer teams, and strengthening partnerships to ensure our food services are impactful, sustainable, and community-led.

Key Responsibilities

Food Supply & Partnerships

• Secure regular surplus food donations from local supermarkets, shops, restaurants, farms, and redistribution networks (e.g., FareShare, Felix Project, Newham Food Alliance).
• Build strong partnerships with local and national food aid providers to maximise supply, reduce duplication, and ensure continuity of stock.
• Ensure culturally appropriate, nutritious food options are consistently available.

Food Service Delivery

• Lead the operational management of the RenewALL Food Pantry, ensuring it is welcoming, respectful, and centred on dignity and choice.
• Oversee twice-weekly pantry sessions, ensuring high-quality customer service, stock availability, and culturally relevant food.
• Maximise the effective use of volunteers in the operation of the pantry.
• Use the pantry as a gateway to wider support by integrating referrals into health, wellbeing, advice, and volunteering pathways.

Sustainable Food Initiatives & Logistics

• Manage and expand the cargo bike food redistribution programme, ensuring effective logistics, safety, insurance, and maintenance.
• Champion environmental sustainability, embedding low-waste, low-carbon practices across all food services.
• Organise and deliver quarterly workshops on food waste reduction and eating on a budget.

Volunteer Leadership & Team Management

• In partnership with the Volunteer Manager, recruit, train, and support volunteers across the Foodbank, Food Pantry, café, warm meals, and cargo bike services.
• Work with colleagues to develop food collection rotas, provide training (food safety, customer care), and ensure smooth operations across all food-related services.
• Foster an inclusive, positive volunteer culture, ensuring volunteers feel valued and engaged.

Compliance, Monitoring & Resource Management

• Ensure compliance with Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, and Environmental Standards, maintaining accurate records and certifications.
• Manage budgets effectively, ensuring value for money and accurate reporting.

Innovation & Development

• Work with colleagues to explore and develop revenue opportunities linked to sustainable food and transport initiatives (e.g., monetising cargo bike deliveries).
• Together with partners and colleagues, explore the implementation of employment focussed opportunities for residents, for example via deliveries on the cargo bikes.

  Project Awareness & Marketing

• Work with our marketing team to introduce creative community campaigns (e.g., Reverse Advent, seasonal drives, sponsorships) to encourage donations of both food and direct funds.
• Promote the projects with local partners, for example working with local schools to maximise harvest deliveries and raise the profile of the project.

Person Specification

• Passionate about food, sustainability, and community empowerment.
• Commitment to dignity-first food provision and tackling food insecurity.
• Experience of coordinating food services, hospitality, or community-based projects.
• Proven ability to build and manage partnerships with suppliers, community groups, or external organisations.
• Experience of managing volunteers or staff, including recruitment, rotas, and supervision.
• Strong organisational skills, able to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stock systems.
• Knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety standards.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Newham Community Renewal Programme, please do not hesitate to apply. You can learn more about our work and values on our website.

Seeking a purposeful career change? Start on your transformative journey with the On Purpose Associate Programme, offering a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals to transition into impactful work. This paid, year-long leadership programme is designed for those ready to pivot their professional journey towards creating a regenerative, equitable and just future.

Key info:

• Based in London, UK

• Full-time (4.5 days at placement & one half day training weekly)

• £27,010 per annum salary (pro rata)

• Programme dates: April 2026 - March 2027 (49 weeks)

• Apply by Monday 20th October, 9:00 am (BST).

About On Purpose:

On Purpose is tackling the greatest challenge of our time: transforming our economy from profit to purpose. Our leadership programmes develop people who will play their part in this transformation.

Together, we learn to see a different future and take action towards realising it in the organisations we work in. Our programmes seed a vibrant community who care, inspire, challenge and support one another as we make this transformation a reality.

Programme structure:

Two 6 month placements 

• Through work placements with organisations driving impactful change, you'll gain hands-on experience tackling pressing social and environmental issues 4.5 days of the week. Some of our current partners include Better Society Capital, Save the Children, BAFTA and VISA.

Expert-led learning 

• Our intensive Learning & Development programme involves weekly in-person sessions led by experts from across sectors. This blend of professional training and academic rigour equips you with the skills, knowledge and mindset to lead organisational and systemic change. 

1:1 mentoring & coaching

• Receive support through fortnightly mentoring sessions and quarterly executive coaching, fostering both your personal and professional growth.

Join a supportive, impactful community

• You’ll be part of a tight-knit cohort of 20 Associates, participating in training sessions every Friday afternoon together. You’ll also join the wider On Purpose community, connecting with a global, influential network of impact-driven professionals offering life-long inspiration, collaboration and opportunities.

Benefits:

• Earn a £27.01 k (pro rata) salary - On Purpose stands out by offering a paid learning and training opportunity, saving you significant costs compared to paying for other leadership programmes or MBAs, all the while offering extensive learning and development.

• Develop your ability to make an impact - Equip yourself with the skills and insights needed to drive meaningful change. You’ll join nearly 1000 purpose-driven alumni who are leading transformative change worldwide in all parts of the system, with 92% currently working in the impact sector.

• Unlock purpose-driven career opportunities - Our Associates have moved into a range of sustainability and social impact roles, ranging from CEOs of social enterprises to leadership positions within traditional companies driving change from within. We have a former music label business owner now the CEO of Hubbub, a former Consultant now Director of Impact at B Lab UK and a former civil servant now Climate Lead at Ellen MacArthur Foundation. 

• Standard UK holiday allowance

• A 3-day residential (all expenses paid)

Who we’re looking for:

This programme is ideal for:

• Individuals seeking a career change into the environment and social impact sector.

• Individuals already in the impact sector who want to develop new skills, have the opportunity to work in more commercial organisations, or to join an engaged network of people who share your values and are working toward the same goal. 

Specific sector or industry experience is not important. We’re looking for talented people from diverse industries who have a determination to bring their skills and experience to purpose-driven projects and to driving systemic change. We seek ambitious individuals with:

• A minimum of three years full-time professional experience

• The right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme

• Fluency in English 

• Office environment experience 

• Skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, adaptability, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, quantitative analysis and strategic thinking.

• Excitement and commitment towards building a career that helps transform our economy from profit to purpose.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences and those who are often under-represented in the impact sector, including but not limited to individuals with disabilities and those from diverse ethnic, gender identities, sexualities, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

How to apply:

• Register your interest via our website to receive a link to your online application form.

• Closing date for applications: Monday 20th October, 9:00 am (BST).

• Interviews will be held in mid-late November.

You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025. 

Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.

Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising. 

This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.

Key duties

Major Donor Fundraising

• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+

• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships

• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.

• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development.  Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.

• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.

• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.

• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.

• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.

• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.

• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.

• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.

• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.

• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.

• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.

• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.

• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity

• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events

Other duties

• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.

• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.

• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.

• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.

• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.