Chef volunteer roles

The Role:

Are you passionate about food and want to make a meaningful difference in your community? Join us as a Cooking Volunteer at our Day Centre, where we provide support to individuals who are rough sleeping and/or with a history of homelessness.

In this role, you’ll be preparing and cooking hearty meals for our clients, helping to bring comfort, routine, and nourishment to their day. You’ll also be responsible for cleaning up as you go and ensuring the kitchen is left tidy afterwards.

What you’ll be doing?

You’ll be preparing delicious meals for our clients and making a real difference in the lives of people who need it most. Your time, care, and cooking skills can bring comfort and support to those on their journey to a better future.

You'll also be:

• • Meal planning with clients
  • Stock-taking and ordering
  • Preparation and cooking
  • Clearing and cleaning

Desirable skills and qualities:

Your enthusiasm for our cause and your willingness to get stuck in are the most important, along with a calm and friendly manner, good listening skills and having empathy for our clients.

A food hygiene qualification is desirable but it can also be completed as part of our induction training.

What’s in it for you?

• • The feel-good factor that comes from doing something worthwhile
  • Learning new skills and access to further training
  • Work experience
  • Using & developing cooking skills, preparing wholesome, home-cooked meals.
  • You’ll receive a warm welcome and full induction to help you settle into the role and get to know more about our Day Centre and the people we support.
  • Your time & care will directly impact on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness

DBS Checks and references

Our services aim to reflect the diversity of the communities they’re based in. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly people with lived experience.

All applicants who volunteer with our clients will be expected to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from becoming a volunteer, the decision will depend on the type of offence and its relevance to the role.

If you would like to discuss any convictions you may have, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator using the link below. All information will be dealt with according to our Data Protection Policy. We also request contact details for us to obtain references, ideally we need two.

Get in touch

To find out more, just click on the Application tab above and submit your contact details, so we can call you for an initial chat, we don't need a CV or letter. 

We look forward to speaking with you soon!

Stepping Stones Learning and Leisure is a small, friendly charity based in Southwark, providing inclusive activities for adults with learning disabilities. We believe everyone should have the chance to express themselves, connect with others, and take part in activities that bring joy, confidence, and new skills.

We’re currently looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Cook and Eat Volunteer to support our weekly Thursday sessions (10.30-13.30), held at St Faith’s Centre, Red Post Hill, SE24 9JQ (close to North Dulwich and Herne Hill stations).

About The Role

This role is ideal for someone who loves to get stuck in. You’ll support our tutor in delivering inclusive and fun cooking sessions for a small group of adults with learning disabilities. Every class will be an opportunity to create tasty snacks and dishes in a dynamic and supportive environment. With your help, we aim to provide our learners with a sense of pride and satisfaction at having made something delicious, whilst learning invaluable skills along the way.

As a Cook and Eat Volunteer at Stepping Stones, you will:

• Assist the tutor in running weekly cooking classes
• Encourage and support learners
• Help with setting up and closing down the kitchen workspace
• Maintain high standards of hygiene
• Offer 1:1 or group support where needed to help participants engage
• Help build a warm, inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels safe to express themselves

What You’ll Gain

Volunteering with us is a chance to:

• Contribute to a creative and meaningful community project
• Build relationships with and support learners to learn new skills and grow in confidence
• Experience working with adults with learning disabilities in a supportive setting
• Develop skills in teamwork, adaptability, communication, and creative problem-solving
• Have a place in a welcoming and friendly team of tutors, staff and volunteers
• Receive appropriate training and guidance from an experienced team

What We’re Looking For

You don’t need to be a chef to volunteer in this role! At Stepping Stones we value:

• Good communication and a warm, encouraging approach
• Enthusiasm, patience, and a willingness to get involved
• A non-judgemental and inclusive mindset
• Reliability and commitment
• Flexibility and adaptability

Prior to volunteering, we ask all volunteers to:

• Attend an in-person session with the Stepping Stones team and learners
• Provide two references
• Complete a DBS check (we will arrange this)
• Commit to volunteering one session per week for 3 x 10 week terms throughout the year. For continuity for our service users, we ask that you commit to volunteering with us for one year.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and respond to the following questions (these will come up when you hit 'Apply Now')

• Why would you like to volunteer with Stepping Stones?
• What are the strongest attributes and values you feel you'll bring to this role?