Operations Volunteer

Volunteer opportunity  |  1–2 days per week  |  Mon / Tue / Wed / Thu preferred

Manchester: warehouse, donation collections and foodbank centres

Supporting the Manchester Central Community - its at the heart of what we do

Award-winning Manchester Central Foodbank is looking for reliable, hands-on Operations Volunteers to collect food donations, support our warehouse and help get supplies to our three foodbank centres. If you enjoy practical work, teamwork and making a real difference in the community, we would love to hear from you.

About Manchester Central Foodbank

Established in Ardwick in 2013 as the country’s first student-led foodbank, we now support communities across Central, North and East Manchester. As part of the Trussell network, we provide emergency food and practical support while working to end the need for foodbanks. Our values are Care, Dignity, Quality, Partnership, Anti-Stigma and Rights-Based.

We support around 17,000 people and provide approximately 153,000 meals a year across Brunswick, Harpurhey and Openshaw. With continued pressure on household finances, every donation collected and delivered helps us meet local need.

The Volunteer Role

·  Collect food donations from supermarkets, businesses and community partners; help safely load and unload the foodbank van.

·  Support warehouse activities including weighing, checking, sorting, rotating and storing donated food safely.

·  Help prepare, pack and move stock to our Brunswick, Harpurhey and Openshaw foodbank centres so sessions are ready to support local people.

·  Work with the Warehouse & Logistics Coordinator and Operations & Projects Lead to support best-in-class delivery of foodbank sessions through effective preparation, stock availability and practical support.

·  Support planned donation drives and food-sorting activities, accurately record donations and raise any stock or safety concerns with staff.

About You

·  You are reliable, practical and a positive team player who shares our values and enjoys helping others.

·  You are comfortable with hands-on activities, including appropriate lifting and moving of stock, following training and safe-working guidance.

·  A full UK driving licence and willingness to drive our van are especially welcome; driving duties are subject to eligibility, insurance checks and induction. Non-drivers are welcome too.

·  No previous foodbank or warehouse experience is necessary. We will provide an induction, training and support from the team.