Food Bank Volunteer Roles in Home Based

Kidderminster Foodbank are seeking to recruit Trustees with an interest in helping others, who are willing to uphold the food bank’s values, and who can bring life experience to the board of trustees. Trustees have collective responsibility for the governance of the organisation and for all decisions made by the Board. They set the strategic direction for the organisation, ensuring alignment to our values, and are responsible for setting organisational policy, defining goals, agreeing the financial plan, evaluating performance, and ensuring that strong relationships are maintained between the Trustees and the Management & Volunteer Team.

Key tasks:                            

• To manage the charity’s resources responsibly, including ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, avoid undue risk and not over-commit the charity.
• To ensure the board regularly reviews its structures, roles, relationship to staff and implementing changes if and when necessary.
• To develop a long-term strategy for the food bank with clear objectives which can be monitored and adapted.
• To work alongside the Treasurer and the board to ensure the organisation’s financial dealings are systematically accounted for and on time, independently examined (on income over £25k) and made publicly available when necessary.
• To ensure the charity is accountable, actively complying with statutory accounting and reporting requirements and the law.
• To ensure appropriate financial plans are in place for future budget allocations as well as looking after contractual agreements with external partners that award money for core costs and additional projects.
• To help promote the organisation to a wide audience of potential funders and beneficiaries and community stakeholders.
• To ensure the food bank has appropriate procedures to: comply with current legislation and good practice; including employment, health and safety, equal opportunities, safeguarding & GDPR compliance/data protection etc.
• To act with reasonable care and skill, giving your time, thought and energy to your role.
• To prepare for and regularly attend and participate in board and subcommittee meetings and any trustee away days.
• To provide ad hoc support to the staff team and volunteers from time to time.
• To act at all times in accordance with the foodbank’s trustee code of conduct.

The Trustees may also undertake additional work for the charity between meetings subject to their availability and skill set.

About you:

We are looking for people who want to help their local community and work towards the eradication of food poverty whilst supporting the food bank to continue to provide emergency food to people who find themselves in crisis. Our ideal candidates would demonstrate a:

• Knowledge of and commitment to the work of Kidderminster Foodbank.
• Willingness to actively participate in discussions concerning needs of the foodbank’s beneficiaries, staff, and the trustee board.
• Willingness to act in the best interest of the charity.
• Sound, independent judgement and ability to think creatively.
• Working effectively as a team member and demonstrating a willingness to learn and develop.

Kidderminster Foodbank are seeking to recruit Trustees with an interest in helping others, who are willing to uphold the food bank’s values, and who can bring life experience to the board of trustees. The food bank would particularly welcome applications from those with experience in one (or more) of the following areas: 

• Campaigning
• Marketing
• Fundraising
• Digital/IT
• Legal
• Commercial property
• Health & Safety

We are Knottingley Foodbank, providing emergency food and compassionate, practical support to people in crisis. Since 2013 we have operated in the Knottingley area and are currently based at Ropewalk Methodist Church, providing 1,714 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis last year. Our foodbank is a project founded by local churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in our local area.

As a Trustee you will play a vital role by ensuring that we are meeting the demand for our services, providing help and support to people in crisis in the local community, as well as providing strategic direction for the charity.

Trustees have collective responsibility for the governance of the organisation and for all decisions made by the Board. They set the strategic direction for the organisation, ensuring alignment to our values, and are responsible for setting organisational policy, defining goals, agreeing the financial plan, evaluating performance, and ensuring that strong relationships are maintained between the Trustees and the Senior Leadership Group.

About you:

Knottingley Foodbank are looking for people who want to help their local community and work towards the eradication of food poverty whilst support the food bank to continue to provide emergency food to people who find themselves in crisis. We are seeking to recruit Trustees with an interest in helping others, who are willing to uphold the food bank’s values, and who can bring life experience to the board of trustees.Our ideal candidates would demonstrate a:

• Knowledge of and commitment to the work of Knottingley Foodbank.
• Willingness to actively participate in discussions concerning needs of the foodbank’s beneficiaries, staff, and the trustee board.
• Willingness to act in the best interest of the charity.
• Sound, independent judgement and ability to think creatively.
• Working effectively as a team member and demonstrating a willingness to learn and develop.

The food bank would particularly welcome applications from those with experience in one (or more) of the following areas:

• Administration/Secretarial skills
• Finance
• Governance
• Human Resources

Would you like to help end food poverty and tackle climate change and CO2 emissions in Greater Manchester, whilst at the same time gaining valuable CV-enhancing experience and skills?

What we offer you

• Induction, training and support from the staff of FareShare and its parent charity, EMERGE 3Rs.

• Practical experience and transferable skills in warehousing and food redistribution.

• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses  – up to £5.80 for travel and up to £3 for lunch, upon completion of a 4 hour shift. (We can also provide you with lunch if you don't bring your own).

• A reference after 2 months with us.

• An understanding of warehousing and logistics, and the importance of food surplus and recycling initiatives to both the community and the environment.

As a sustainability charity, we take surplus food that's donated to us by manufacturers and retailers and redistribute it to people in need across the city region. The front line initiatives we support include food banks, schools, community groups and charities who, in turn, help people who are disadvantaged by poverty.

Our vital work supports people experiencing extreme hardship and prevents perfectly good food going to landfill, where it would otherwise contribute to climate warming. 

We need helping hands in our busy warehouse to receive and catalogue supplies, to load and unload vans, and to prepare orders for delivery. In return we offer training and support to help you obtain skills and experience to boost your CV if you are seeking work. If you're not aiming for employment, volunteering with is is rewarding in many other ways; offering an opportunity to make new friends, keep physically active and 

This role is vital to the work of FareShare, ensuring that the food delivered to our warehouse is correctly sorted, labelled and organised into orders placed by our charities and community groups, (who we call Community Food Members).

It is perfect for someone who is:

a) Looking for a practical activity.

b) Looking for experience and skills to gain employment in the food industry, warehousing and customer service.

c) Wanting to help their community and/or help tackle global warming.

d) Wanting to make new friends.

e) Wanting to keep busy and/or physically fit.

Our volunteer opportunities are available Monday to Friday, for a whole or half day, with shifts between 8:30-am - 12:30pm and 12:30 - 4:30pm. Volunteers are typically involved for one day a week.

What will I be doing?

Receiving, sorting, cataloguing and storing chilled and ambient surplus food in a warehouse, and preparing orders for delivery. You’ll also assist customers when they come to pick up their orders.

• Ensuring food quality and safety by checking ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates.

• Sorting and unpacking deliveries, categorising and recording food.

• Assembling food orders placed by charities and community groups.

• Assisting our Community Food Members with their food order collections. 

• Maintaining health and safety and food hygiene standards. 

• Helping with cleaning and other tasks as identified by warehouse staff.

Person Specification 

• Must be physically fit to carry out tasks including lifting and loading.

• Have a good command of English in order to understand and follow instructions and health and safety rules. 

• Have basic literacy and numeracy skills to record quantities and types of food donated.

• Able to work in a manner that respects Health and Safety standards.

• Be happy to complete tasks independently according to instruction.

• Be positive, friendly and enthusiastic about tackling food waste and food poverty.

Must be reliable and able to commit to an agreed session/day.

We are located in our brand new depot at Maynard House, New Smithfield Market, Openshaw, Manchester M11 2WJ.

Harrow Food Bank is part of the Trussell Trust - a network of over 1300 food bank centres in the UK. Between April 2022 and March 2023, food banks provided almost 3 million food supplies to people in crisis. 

Harrow Food Bank requires two Trustees to support the Chair and current members who can support the existing Trustees:

Administrator / Secretary: to lead on all the administrative duties of the food bank and Trustee Board, ensure all meetings are conducted within the legal requirements and a record of all meetings maintained. Key roles & responsibilities:

1. Arrange and communicate dates for all Trustee Meetings, circulating papers in advance

2. Follow up on the agreed actions from meetings and keep an accurate ‘action log’

3. Ensure all stakeholders are informed of the AGM and that the AGM report is submitted to all relevant bodies

Treasurer: to lead on the financial affairs of the foodbank and to ensure that they are conducted within the required legal accounting and good practice conventions. Key roles & responsibilities:

1. Ensure that the Food Bank has proper systems for budgeting, financial controls, insurance and reporting

2. Produce and present regular finance reports for the Trustees Board Meetings

3. Maintain accurate financial records as report in a timely manner to all relevant bodies

Due to Trustee retirement, Braintree Area Foodbank is looking for a new volunteer Finance Trustee. You will be part of Braintree Area Foodbank's board of Trustees, which provides governance and leadership over a Charity that provided over 12,000 meals last year. Braintree Area Foodbank has grown significantly in recent years, with new, exciting projects on the horizon. The Charity is looking for a candidate from a financial background, with experience of planning, preparing and monitoring budgets with expertise in the preparation of annual accounts. Support is available from a volunteer Treasurer along with additional support and guidance from the Board. If you are looking for a new volunteering role in a fast moving environment that directly supports those in poverty and makes a real difference then this could be the role for you.

Brief outline of Braintree Area Foodbank: 

Braintree Area Foodbank started in 2012. We are a part of the Trussell Trust network of food banks and distribute food and other essentials to people in crisis food poverty. We operate over a wide area around Braintree, with distribution centres in Braintree itself, Great Notley, Sible Hedingham, Halstead and Witham, supported by home deliveries where required. We work with a wide range of frontline referral agencies, voluntary and statutory, which are issued with vouchers to enable them to refer clients to the foodbank, having assessed their needs. Clients then visit one of our centres where they are met with light refreshments and a listening ear. Additionally, in order to try to mitigate the underlying cause of the crisis, our centres have information on a wide range of organisations to which clients may be signposted by one our volunteers.

Key duties and responsibilities: 

• Review timesheets, run payroll including the maintenance of this system. Set up payments for travel and remuneration. This includes managing the Inland Revenue system and the pension scheme.
• Monitor and manage our online finance management system, including updating our internal cash flow report.
• Provide supporting financial information for grant applications. Including monitoring and maintaining records for related expenditure for grants received for inclusion in donor reports.
• Review Charity savings including the investigation for new or renewable investments, with the completion of paperwork as necessary.
• Prepare and present the annual budget for the Board of Trustees agreement.
• Complete the SOFA, balance sheet and notes for inclusion in the TAR. This will include liasing with Trustees to support a Trustee commentary to sufficiently explain financial data.
• Obtaining the acceptance of the TAR from Trustees and organise and attend meetings with the Independent Examiner.

A full job description and person specification can be found attached to this advert. 

Overall responsibility:

• Leading on the financial affairs of the Foodbank; ensuring that they are conducted within the required legal, accounting and good practice conventions;
• To work in partnership with the Chair and Trustees to ensure the financial viability and development of the Foodbank..

Key tasks are to ensure that the Trustees:

• Fulfil their financial responsibilities
• Have proper systems for budgeting, financial control, insurances, and reporting;
• Are informed by written report, at least on a quarterly basis; ensuring they have a clear picture of the financial health of the food bank;
• Develop a long-term strategy for the Foodbank with clear objectives, monitored and flexible
• Have reports in proper format, comprehensible and discussed properly at Trustee meetings including the AGM;
• Provide Annual Reports as required by the Charity Commission after proper independent examination

Other responsibilities - include working with Trustees to support appropriate:

• Financial plans for future budget allocations; looking after contractual agreements with external partners awarding money for core costs;
• Procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice; including employment, health and safety, equal opportunities, safeguarding, GDPR compliance/data protection;
• Promotion of the Foodbank to a wider audience of potential funders and beneficiaries; promote the Foodbank within the wider community;
• To act  with reasonable care and skill, giving time, thought and energy to your role.

Welcome Personal Skills and Attributes:

• To have a knowledge and understanding of the work of the Foodbank;
• To be respectful of the values the Foodbank was founded upon;
• To be enthusiastic about and involved with the operation;
• Previous experience and/or demonstrated ability in financial accounting and reporting procedures; communicating financial information to those who may have little financial background; and keeping all financial records up to date.

By leading on the financial matters for the Foodbank, you are part of providing an important support responsibility in your local community; ensuring a dignified experience to our clients and all who come into contact with Rochdale Foodbank.

In volunteering you will be using your existing skills to make a difference; you will meet people who share your passion to eradicate poverty in the local community and you will make a real difference to the running of the Foodbank.

A full Trustee induction is in place to support a prospective candidate within their role, as well as access to local voluntary Trustee training through Action Together or the Trussell Trust. 

VOLUNTEER MAN/WOMAN WITH A VAN

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, family circumstances, mental health issues, substance misuse, care leavers, learning disability, age, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Can you be the link between us and our clients, dropping of food and furniture where it’s needed?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to give to vulnerable clients needing food, help with a move or furniture picked up, loaded, and dropped off?

• Can we rely and depend on you to commit to a period of up to 12 weeks?

• Can you create and maintain positive, professional, and trusting relationships with a non-judgmental approach?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

• Drivers will need be able to take apart large items of furniture for packing and removal, loading them into your vehicle, securing them safely and driving to a new location to unload them

• Collecting food from food banks and dropping to clients’ homes

• Collecting furniture for clients and dropping to their accommodation

Our trustees play a vital role in ensuring Glasgow SE Foodbank meets its core purpose by overseeing the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that Glasgow SE Foodbank has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.

Overview of the role:

As a trustee you are responsible for the governance of the foodbank and setting the strategic objectives. Board members have a collective responsibility, meaning trustees always act as a group and not as individuals. As a small charity, there may be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Duties:

• Support and provide advice on Glasgow SE Foodbank’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee Glasgow SE Foodbank’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve Glasgow SE Foodbank’s financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to Glasgow SE Foodbank’s management team in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
• Keep abreast of changes in Glasgow SE Foodbank’s operating environment.
• Contribute to regular reviews of Glasgow SE Foodbank’s own governance.
• Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Glasgow SE Foodbank’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of Glasgow SE Foodbank’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

VOLUNTEER MAN/WOMAN WITH A VAN

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, family circumstances, mental health issues, substance misuse, care leavers, learning disability, age, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Can you be the link between us and our clients, dropping of food and furniture where it’s needed?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to give to vulnerable clients needing food, help with a move or furniture picked up, loaded, and dropped off?

• Can we rely and depend on you to commit to a period of up to 12 weeks?

• Can you create and maintain positive, professional, and trusting relationships with a non-judgmental approach?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

• Drivers will need be able to take apart large items of furniture for packing and removal, loading them into your vehicle, securing them safely and driving to a new location to unload them

• Collecting food from food banks and dropping to clients’ homes

• Collecting furniture for clients and dropping to their accommodation

We are seeking a reliable individual (or individuals to share the role) to assist us in supporting our teams of volunteers who work across our three projects: FareShare Greater Manchester, EMERGE Recycling and Touch Wood, as well as our parent charity, EMERGE 3Rs.

With your organisational skills, you’ll assist the Volunteer Management Team in the administration of our volunteer programmes and help us with the day-to-day operation of the office.
This position presents an excellent opportunity to gain valuable transferable skills that can be deployed across a wide range of working roles in future. 

This role is shared between several volunteers; each covering different shifts, so we have flexibility in accommodating what hours you are able to offer us.

ABOUT EMERGE

We operate three initiatives:

* FareShare Great Manchester - the regional hub of national charity FareShare UK, which redistributes overstocked food to community initiatives and food banks, diverting it from polluting landfill

* Touch Wood - our reclaimed wood workshop, which takes wood destined for landfill or incinerators and prepares it for resale or upcycles it into crafted items

* EMERGE Recycling - a pioneering recycling social enterprise

The volunteer administration support role is one of the broadest ranging opportunities we have on offer; being a blend of many working practices, from general administration to assisting with recruitment. You will be working with a diverse range of individuals, from many different types of backgrounds and circumstances, so a friendly attitude and an interest in helping people are advantageous traits for applicants.

Typical tasks include:

* Answering and redirecting phone calls and greeting visitors

* Data entry

* Assisting with monitoring information

* Assisting with preparation of induction sessions

* Undertaking routine tasks, e.g. photocopying, laminating

* Preparing information packs

* Maintaining supplies of flyers and forms used for volunteer recruitment

REQUIREMENTS:

Organised and reliable

Comfortable speaking in person and on the phone in a polite, clear and friendly manner

Strong computer skills; particularly familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

Accuracy and attention to detail

Good standard of personal presentation

BENEFITS:

A friendly, inclusive and supportive environment

Attainment / development of a wide range of CV-enhancing transferrable work skills, from admin procedures to interpersonal skills

The opportunity to support a great cause and give something back to your community

Reimbursement of lunch costs and local travel expenses

Work reference available after 3 months in the role

You will be required to complete introductory sessions before you are confirmed in the role.

GETTING TO US

We are just a 15 minute bus ride from Manchester Piccadilly, with our brand new base, Maynard House, located on new Smithfield Market, which is only a few yards off a main arterial route into the city, Ashton Old Road. 

Public Transport

The market site can be easily reached by a number of bus services, with the 219 being the most frequent.

If travelling to us by car, please be aware that many satnav systems wrongly direct drivers to the rear of the market site. Instead, please enter by the main gate on Whitworth Street East (off Ashton Old Road). There is plenty of free parking on site.

There is a bus stop immediately opposite the main entrance to the market.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person who could devote the time to volunteer with us as one of our Trustees. As a Trustee of the Branch, you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long term aims.

You will be volunteering with a small, but passionate and fun team made up of two admin staff, five retail and online sales staff, and a dedicated trustee board of five, from a range of backgrounds. 

We are a highly proactive, progressive and approachable branch, with a clear vision for the future - aiming for charitable excellence, a strong community focus, and a passion to support, signpost and advocate for our pet-owning community.

Among our animal welfare activities are schemes such as assisted neutering and microchipping, welfare events such as free microchipping and clinic sessions, provision of a local pet food bank, family fun day events in aid of animal welfare, and the delivery of educational materials - created by the branch team, for our younger audiences.

We support RSPCA frontline teams within our local area, and we are always keen to take on new challenges and innovative ways to fundraise and work alongside those in our community who need our support. 

The insights and skills of our trustees are the key to the future direction of the branch. 

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Support Specialist write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.
• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support local initiatives.
• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer

We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds, with experience and skills in any of the following areas:

• Marketing communication including social media, PR, website;
• Fundraising including corporate fundraising, trust fund and grant applications;
• Local community and supporter relationships;
• Hands-on experience in growing charities; and/or
• Are or have been part of the groups and communities we would like to attract.

Alongside the relevant experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Ideally we would want a Trustee within the Sunderland, Hartlepool, South Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead or Durham area. However, the position can be done mostly via remote means - and so, you can be located anywhere in the country.

Glasgwegians unite for pets in need and their families! Do you have a background in animal welfare or human services? Do you have lived experience as a pet guardian or someone who has sought adoption in the past? Glasgow's pet families need you!

The vision for Glasgow Pet Collective is to create a social justice oriented animal welfare organisation to support Glaswegians and their pets. Our approach will be community informed and will develope innovative programs based on community need. I plan to launch the organisation, with a co-founder or two, so we can help with re-homing pets ASAP because it is a service that is in urgent need.

The role:

Glasgow Pet Collective is seeking one to four co-founders to formulate best practices, policies and innovative programs on which to build the charity. Co-founders will also help to secure charity status, apply for funding, connect with pet parents who need to rehome their dog, cat or other small animal, market pets for adoption, screen adopters and recruit and train volunteers. The scope of the founder's role will be based on their experience, expertise and interest. I anticipate 5 hours of work weekly in the intial phases of set up and would hope that at some point in the not too distant future, we can receive funding to pay for part or (hopefully) full-time staff. As a note, I am a professional grant writer so I am hopeful we can get funding sooner than later!

The problem:

Pet relinquishment requests to animal rescue / shelter organisations have increased up to 60% in 2023. Organisations like Dog's Trust, SSPCA, Cats Protection and Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home are full to the brink and are simply not able to accommodate the deluge of requests for help.

In the mean time, cats and dogs live in homes that are not conducive to either their or their human guardians' wellbeing. Cats are living in homes with co-occupants that cause them great stress, and potentially exhibiting destructive behaviours due to their distress. Dogs with separation anxiety are living in homes who cannot spend enough time with them. And humans are struggling to feed their families and their pets at the same time.

In most cases, human support services that allow the human/animal family to remain intact are the ideal response to these issues. Keeping families together highly advantageous to the wellbeing of all family members - two and four-legged. AND financial assistance, accessiblity of services and/or modifications to the home environment can solve the issues that often lead pet parents to seek rehoming services.

Pet food banks are critical to ensuring dedicated families keep their pets fed without jeopardising the needs of their human families. Training and behaviour professionals can help dogs cope with separation. Accessible veterinary care can allow families with financial constraints to keep their pets instead of relinquishing for hope of the animal getting the help they need.

About me:

My name is Caitlin Mendoza-Price. I am an animal welfare professional from Los Angeles. I spent the last 10 years working in feline lifesaving programs, fundraising and grant writing. Admittedly, the landscape and needs of animals in Scotland is largely different than the one I have built most of my expertise within. 

However, after two years in Scotland, and lessons learnt from conferences and conversations with professionals, pet parents and prospective adopters, I've come to understand that the Scotland is in great need of increased rehoming and human animal support services. 

Background to the RJ4All Internships 

RJ4All was originally set up by volunteers, and it would not exist without their involvement and continued support. Therefore, RJ4All recognises their significant contribution. The vast majority of our interns are young people most of whom are faced with challenges let those be social, financial, migration or refugee status etc.

The RJ4All internships are not paid, but offered on a volunteering basis. This is because we believe that volunteering is an important way to make a positive contribution to our communities and is of particular benefit to young people who are often forgotten or marginalised. Nevertheless, volunteering with RJ4All does not mean standing outside of tube stations wearing bunny suits to raise funds! It involves high quality project activity, engaging with social project and policy issues, and making a real difference where it matters. It also means doing youth-led work, organising events and running user-led training workshops. All out of pocket expenses are paid (see Volunteer Policy for more detail).

Our principles 

We are established upon the FREDA underlying values of restorative justice. These stand for Freedom, Respect, Equality, Dignity and Autonomy. Our interns are expected to subscribe to these values as well as that of power sharing. 

RJ4ALL has the Quality Mark of the European Commission’s European Solidarity Corps and has adopted European Solidarity Corps Charter. All principles underlying this Volunteer and Intern Policy are fully aligned with the Mission and Principles of the European Solidarity Corps. Previously, RJ4All was using the EVS principles (European Voluntary Service). 

The role  

This is a supporting role working under the line management of the Community Centre Manager. It is an office-based position at our RJ4All Community Centre in Rotherhithe working across projects and RJ4All services. The post holder will support the organisation to ensure the effective administration of the RJ4All Centre and the delivery of RJ4All programmes through a combination of excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.

Initiative and innovation are attributes that are highly valued at RJ4All. Furthermore, the post holder will be involved in delivering project-related tasks as well as promoting projects, participate and create workshops. 

Volunteering hours under this role are between 9:30am-5:30pm and the placements are usually offered on a minimum of a 3-month engagement. 

Role description 

We want to offer a rounded experience to all our interns and therefore they are engaged in five different areas of work: 

1. Community Project Delivery on one or multiple of our community centre projects (incl. Youth Clubs, Food Bank, Community Fridge, Charity Shop, Sports classes for young people/for people with disabilities, Digital Inclusion workshops), art workshops, Mediation, wellbeing support, etc.).  

1. Research and policy support on our Restorative Justice postcode project.

1. Administrative work such as managing our organisation email account or project monitoring and evaluation

1. Social media such as leading on our Facebook page

1. Writing a blog for our members and our FRED campaign. 

Other tasks may include: 

• Engagement with Service Users, 

• Youth work, 

• Event planning, outreach, and management, 

• Report writing and proofreading, 

• Compiling, formatting, analysing qualitative and quantitative data,

• Conducting stakeholder mapping 

• Writing for the website, blogs and other newsletters, 

Helping with funding applications. 

What support will I be given?  

Interns will be given a full induction and will be supported through one-to-one meetings and daily support. The candidate will benefit from a range of training initiatives.

What benefits can I expect to gain from the experience?  

The position offers a rich and high-quality experience that will enhance future job prospects within the area of community engagement and project delivery within the charity sector as well as social policy and research. We also offer Youth Pass and CPD accreditation where relevant. 

What skills or experience do I need? 

• An interest in community engagement and project delivery within the charitable sector and/or social policy and research

• Excellent written and oral communication skills,

• Excellent organisational skills

• Ability to work as a member of a team and on your own initiative,

• A keen eye for spotting errors, 

• Organised and self-managing, 

• Commitment to the values of dialogue, transparency, non-adversarial methods of conflict resolution and restorative justice, 

• Sympathise with the aims, ethos and organisational culture of RJ4All including its vision, mission and values. 

Cooking Up is a small dynamic charity teaching people living in hardship to cook affordable, nutritious meals to take home to their families.

Our data to date shows that Cooking Up is having a positive impact on the lives of the clients we support who face challenging circumstances such as food poverty, disabilities. poor mental health and social isolation. After completing a 5-week course with us, clients report feeling more confident about cooking a meal from scratch and understand better how to eat healthily and shop on a budget. Our classes are fun and sociable and clients are supported on a 1:1 basis by our wonderful and growing team of local volunteers.

We are seeking an experienced Finance Trustee to join our Board. The role involves all aspects of the charity's finances, including banking, preparing budgets, invoicing and payments, preparing annual accounts and reporting to the board. 

Cooking Up’s Board of Trustees shares ultimate responsibility for governing the charity and directing how it is managed and run. As a member of the Board of Trustees, you will help set the strategic aims, objectives and direction of the charity, ensure that the charity complies with charity law requirements and ensure the charity’s resources are responsibly managed.

In addition to fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Finance Trustee maintains an overview of Cooking Up’s financial affairs. The Finance Trustee ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place and reports to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.

Specific Responsibilities of the Finance Trustee

● Taking a lead in all aspects of the financial management of Cooking Up and providing financial advice as appropriate to the Board of Trustees on the financial implications of Cooking Up’s strategies and plans.

● Overseeing the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements to the Board of Trustees

● Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place

● Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies are in place and being implemented, and supporting the development of policies covering financial reserves, and cost management

● Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity

● Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems, regularly liaising with the Board

● Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process

● Lead on the appointment of and liaison with external auditors

● Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by the Charity Commission

● Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities