Food volunteer roles

You’ll play an important role in taking time to listen to people in crisis, understanding what’s driving their poverty and identifying agencies they can be referred to for specific help. You’ll enjoy being alongside an enthusiastic team of volunteers. Using your empathy, confidentiality and motivation to support others you will truly make a difference and help to change lives.

What you will be doing;

• Listening to clients who visit the centre for food – providing a non-judgemental ear
• Looking at ways we can help them further

We are looking for remote phone volunteers to respond to client and general enquiries using our Webex app.

Why we want you
To speak directly to those in financial crisis and arrange help for them.

What you will be doing

• Speaking to individuals on the phone (Via Webex)
• Assessing their eligibility for a food parcel and other help from the foodbank
• Taking down their details to arrange food parcel and other help

The skills you need

• Good listening skills
• Ability to manage conversations, sometimes difficult conversations
• Supporting as part of a team

What's in it for you

• Giving hope and arranging help to those who are in difficult situations
• Having a positive impact in your community

Spend 3 - 4 hours a week in a hospital and feel over the moon!

This is what happens when you join the Friends of Chelsea & Westminster Hospital as a volunteer.

Chelsea & Westminster Hospital on Fulham Road is known as one of the best hospitals in London and across the UK as a whole. One reason for this is its focus on patient and staff wellbeing. If you have been a patient at Chelsea & Westminster, you will surely have noticed the staff’s professional work ethic and determination to deliver the best care.

One way to “give back” to the incredible staff is to join our charity the Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as a volunteer.

The medical staff are often so busy that if they have not brought lunch with them, they have very little time to leave the ward to buy food. Since November 2022 the Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital has successfully operated a Lunch Trolley service for hospital staff, in partnership with B Bagel Fulham Road. The service operates five days a week (Monday-Friday) from 10:30 to 13:30/14:00 and allows busy staff (and some patients) to purchase bagels, salads, cakes and drinks without leaving their departments.

In our first year of operation, thanks to our hard-working volunteers we raised around £9,000 to support the work of the Friends charity in the hospital.

We are now looking for two additional volunteers, one who can commit to a set weekly shift of around 4 hours (day to be discussed) and one who can fill in occasionally when one of our permanent volunteers is away. You will be joining a small, friendly team providing a really valuable and popular service to our hard-working hospital staff.

Role description

● Collect the day’s order of bagels and salads from B Bagel (opposite the hospital) by 10:30/10:45

● Collect the trolley from the Friends storeroom (lower ground floor) and stock it with the bagels/salads/cakes plus additional items from the stock list

● Volunteers have a dedicated route to follow each day, so Monday’s first stop is not always the first served on the other days

● When entering a ward/department, make yourself known to the nurse's desk and place the trolley in a safe position that does not obstruct the movement of staff or patients

● Take payment via contactless card machine only (your only battle will be with the dedicated WIFI but we usually manage.)

● At the end of the run, return trolley to the Friends store room (lower ground floor)

● Do stock check

● Remove and dispose of all perishable items from the trolley

● Return carrier box to B Bagel with the order for the next day

Specification

Essential

● Reliable, punctual, and able to commit to at least one 4-hour slot (around 10.30 to 14.00) once a week 

● Trustworthy

● Polite, friendly and enjoys meeting new people

Desirable

● Previous experience in food retail or a similar voluntary role

● Previous experience in operating a contactless card machine

Full training will be provided. Volunteers report to the Friends Charity Manager, but are also required to comply with all requirements of the hospital’s own volunteering department, including undergoing a DBS check, Occupational Health check and core training. We will take up references on all successful applicants.

Please note that this is quite a physically demanding role and will not suit those with mobility issues or who have difficulty moving and handling heavy items.

Bournemouth Foodbank is looking for committed and skilled individuals to serve as trustees.

The Foodbank is at an exciting time as we have just secured funding to develop a whole new branch of initiatives. We are a Pathfinder Foodbank, piloting new programmes for the Trussell Trust Foodbank Network.

Food poverty is a complex issue that requires a range of joined-up approaches to solve. Frontline services are vital; however, people need more than food for the next three days; they need to feel that they are seen and heard, and they need to know that they have a legitimate place in society. That’s why we are developing these new more than food initiatives and working to prevent dependency and the need for foodbanks in the future.

In order to meet the challenges ahead we are particularly keen to recruit Trustees with legal experience, fundraising, strong administrative skills and, availability to attend the Foodbank on an ad hoc basis (at least fortnightly) during weekdays. Lived experience using Foodbanks or similar crisis services, as well as anyone with a background in Health and Well Being services, or Hospitality would all be extremely valuable additions to our board of trustees.

Vital is to be committed to the vision of Bournemouth Foodbank and concerned about our local communities in BCP as well as social justice equal opportunities. You will want to be giving your time and skills to work alongside our board to shape the future services on offer to our local community and support our few paid staff team and over 150 volunteers.

The time commitment would be a few hours a month, the expectation to attend the Foodbank at least fortnightly during weekdays and some flexibility to support occasional events would be wonderful (but entirely optional).

Responsibilities

As a trustee you will share collective responsibility for the governance of Bournemouth Foodbank and all decisions made by the trustee board, ensuring the organisation is well run, fulfils its mission, is compliant with charity law and that the charity is open and accountable.

Key Tasks

• to approve, support, and guide the charity’s purpose, vision, strategy, goals and objectives;
• 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 effective and efficient administration of the charity, responding to changes in the local community as appropriate to ensure that key risks are identified, monitored, and controlled appropriately
• to ensure appropriate financial plans are in place, budgets are monitored, and progress is evaluated
• to help promote the organisation to key stakeholders and beneficiaries
• to ensure the charity has appropriate procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice, including employment, health and safety, equity, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, and GDPR compliance/data protection
• to prepare for (including creating agendas, taking minutes etc) and regularly attend and participate in trustee meetings and subcommittee meetings.

Bournemouth Foodbank is looking for committed and skilled individuals to serve as trustees.

The Foodbank is at an exciting time as we have just secured funding to develop a whole new branch of initiatives. We are a Pathfinder Foodbank, piloting new programmes for the Trussell Trust Foodbank Network.

Food poverty is a complex issue that requires a range of joined-up approaches to solve. Frontline services are vital; however, people need more than food for the next three days; they need to feel that they are seen and heard, and they need to know that they have a legitimate place in society. That’s why we are developing these new more than food initiatives and working to prevent dependency and the need for foodbanks in the future.

In order to meet the challenges ahead we are particularly keen to recruit Trustees with legal experience, fundraising, strong administrative skills and, availability to attend the Foodbank on an ad hoc basis (at least fortnightly) during weekdays. Lived experience using Foodbanks or similar crisis services, as well as anyone with a background in Health and Well Being services, or Hospitality would all be extremely valuable additions to our board of trustees.

Vital is to be committed to the vision of Bournemouth Foodbank and concerned about our local communities in BCP as well as social justice equal opportunities. You will want to be giving your time and skills to work alongside our board to shape the future services on offer to our local community and support our few paid staff team and over 150 volunteers.

The time commitment would be a few hours a month, the expectation to attend the Foodbank at least fortnightly during weekdays and some flexibility to support occasional events would be wonderful (but entirely optional).

Responsibilities

As Chair of Trustees, you will ensure that you comply with Bournemouth Foodbank’s governing documents, charity law requirements, and other laws that might apply to it. You must act in Bournemouth Foodbank’s best interest, including doing what you and the trustee board decide will best enable Bournemouth Foodbank to carry out its purpose, as well as making balanced informed decisions.

This role involves leading and overseeing the trustee board in ensuring the effective performance of its legal, regulatory and governance responsibilities. It is also an essential part of the role to support and line manage the Foodbank Chief Executive Officer, to achieve the vision/objectives of the Foodbank and to ensure there is a positive relationship between the trustee board, staff, volunteers, and any other stakeholders.

Key Tasks

Chairperson Responsibilities:

• chair trustee meetings so that the trustee board functions effectively and carries out its duties
• ensure the trustee board sets an overall direction for the Foodbank with clear objectives
• ensure that the business of meetings is dealt with, decisions are recorded and implemented, and documentation is well managed and filed diligently
• in consultation with the rest of the trustee board, recruit board members with relevant expertise and experience when required
• to ensure that there is appropriate line management in place to manage the Food Bank Chief Executive Officer (which shall include undertaking appraisals, counter-authorising financial payments including payroll etc)

Ensure an effective relationship between staff, volunteers, and stakeholders:

• to plan with the Chief Executive Officer, an annual schedule of any subcommittee/steering group meetings and other key events which trustee board members should attend
• to work alongside the Foodbank Chief Executive Officer to ensure there is appropriate communication between the trustee board and staff, volunteers, and any other stakeholders.

Other responsibilities, along with the board of trustees, include:

• to approve, support and guide the charity’s purpose, vision, strategy, goals and objectives
• to manage the charity’s resources responsibly, ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, ensure the charity does not become over-committed, and ensure that key risks are identified, monitored and controlled appropriately
• to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity, responding to changes in the local community as appropriate
• to ensure appropriate financial plans are in place, budgets are monitored, financial statements are reviewed, and progress is evaluated
• to help promote the organisation to key stakeholders and beneficiaries
• to ensure the charity has appropriate procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice, including employment, health and safety, equity, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, and GDPR compliance/data protection
• to prepare for and regularly attend and participate in board and subcommittee meetings.

FareShare Greater Manchester is looking for volunteer Driver's Assistants to join our busy friendly delivery team with redistributing tonnes of surplus food a month to charities and community initiatives across Greater Manchester.

FareShare is a national charity fighting food poverty and global warming by tackling food surplus. We source overstocked food from retailers and manufacturers and engage many volunteers to help re-distribute it to over 220 frontline charities and community groups across Greater Manchester. These groups, in turn, provide meals to vulnerable people experiencing food poverty, individuals who are homeless, families, and people who are unemployed or socially isolated. This food would otherwise have gone to waste, so we are simultaneously supporting people in need and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Key responsibilities

Working closely with the driver of a temperature-controlled 3.5 tonne Mercedes Sprinter van to deliver surplus food orders to the premises of the benevolent projects we support. 

Loading and unloading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

The required skills and attributes are:

• Reliability and ability to commit to pre-agreed volunteer shifts (ESSENTIAL)

• Physical fitness, to take on moving and handling of food orders

• Ability to follow procedures and instructions

• Good verbal communication skills

• Interest in the work of FareShare Greater Manchester and our values

• High respect for Health & Safety procedures and standards

In return you will gain:

Career and CV advice and support

A reference for future employers

Reimbursement of travel and lunch expenses 

The opportunity to give practical help to fight food poverty and reduce food waste (and associated CO2 emissions)

The opportunity to meet like-minded people and make new friends

Our operating hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. 

Driver and Driver’s Assistant shifts begin at 8:30am. 

We welcome volunteers who can commit to one day a week. 

The days and rota hours of volunteering are agreed around your availability.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

FareShare Greater Manchester is looking for safe, confident drivers to join our busy, friendly delivery team. 

We re-distribute tonnes of surplus food a month to charities and community initiatives across Greater Manchester. This is an achievement of which we’re proud, and want to expand and is why we need your driving and delivery skills to support our growing operation, especially in these current times of increased need.

Key responsibilities

Driving a van to deliver surplus food orders to the premises of the various Community Food Members we support. 
Loading and unloading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

As a Delivery Driver at FareShare, you will be driving a temperature-controlled 3.5 tonnes Mercedes Sprinter van; working closely with a Driver’s Assistant to re-distribute food orders to the premises of a wide variety of Community Food Members. You will be involved with loading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

The required skills and attributes are as follows. You must:

Be aged 25 or over, with a clean driver's licence (or a maximum of 3 points).
(Experience of driving a van is desirable though not essential).

Be reliable and be able to commit to pre-agreed volunteer shifts.

Be physically fit to take on moving and handling of food orders.

Possess the ability to follow procedures and instructions.

Have good verbal communication skills.

Have a high respect for Health & Safety standards and procedures.

Have an interest in the work of FareShare Greater Manchester and our values.

In return you will gain:

Career, CV advice and support

A reference for future employers

Reimbursement of travel and lunch expenses 

The opportunity to give practical help to fight food poverty and reduce food waste (and associated CO2 emissions)

The opportunity to meet like-minded people and make new friends

Our operating hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. 

Drivers' 4 hour shifts begin at 8:30am. 

We especially welcome volunteers who can commit to one day a week. 

The days and rota hours of volunteering are agreed around your availability.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

Catering Volunteer role:

Preparing a hot and cold lunch for adults and children and preparing snacks and drinks for the morning and afternoon break times.  Cleaning up the kitchen at the end of the day. You will be working alongside another kitchen helper.

· We pay 40p per mile, provide food and refreshments and offer free training (Safeguarding children).  We also provide a branded t-shirt for you to wear in the kitchen.

· We ask all kitchen volunteers to commit to at least 3 days a year on either a Saturday or Sunday in the kitchen at any of our venues that suit you.

Education Volunteer Role Description 

Are you passionate about changing the way we treat animals? Do you want to help reduce environmental damage? Do you want to inspire people to enjoy healthy vegan food that both looks good and tastes great? 

The Vegan Society aims to make veganism more accessible. We help people to adopt a vegan lifestyle by supporting individuals, policy- and decision-makers, caterers, manufacturers, healthcare professionals and the media. 

Why do we need you? 

Laura Chepner is our Education Officer, and she is looking for a volunteer to support her in her role. Laura has a background in education, with a degree in Primary Education which preceded a decade of teaching and a short stint in the role of SENco (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). Shortly after that, Laura theorised vegan-inclusive teaching, published An Educator’s Guide for Vegan-Inclusive Teaching and worked as the UK’s first vegan-inclusion education specialist until joining The Vegan Society. 

At The Vegan Society, Laura supports vegan learners in education who have been discriminated against by acting as an intermediary between their families and the institution. Additionally, Laura supports educators by creating resources and delivering training sessions on what it means to be vegan-inclusive in their practice. Furthermore, Laura empowers parents/guardians to ask for vegan-inclusion by creating documents, with the help of The Education Network, that they can present and highlight their rights. 

What does this role involve? 

We support vegan learners and their families by offering practical resources, including tips for discussing veganism with schools, understanding legal protections and addressing concerns like catering and inclusivity. Our resources aim to help create an educational environment where vegan families feel respected and valued. This role will involve creating resources for families and educators. For example, template letters, guidance on legal protections, policy review requests, learning materials for children and much more.

What training and support is available? 

The ideal candidate for this role will have a background in Primary Education and be comfortable working independently. However, we are always willing to invite volunteers along to staff training when possible and to deliver training on specific skills in-house, as identified throughout the volunteering period. This role is remote, so support from the Education Officer will be available through email and phone calls as required. Monthly reviews with the Volunteering and Engagement Officer will also be conducted to ensure the volunteer is happy in their role. 

What skills would be useful in doing this role? 

• Qualified teacher

• Good written English

• Competent using Microsoft Office

• A strong understanding of the aims, campaigns and tone of voice of The Vegan Society 

• The ability to work independently. 

What does my availability need to be?  

This is an ongoing role and tasks will be requested by Laura on an ad hoc basis, volunteers can accept or decline each task. Volunteering can be done outside traditional working hours and in any time zone, although meetings and staff support will only be available between 9am and 5pm UK time. We ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of six months to make the best use of recruitment and induction time and to get the best out of their volunteering experience.

Who does this role report to?

Laura Chepner, Education Officer and Kaya Gromocki, Senior Volunteering and Engagement Officer.

We’re looking for energetic, reliable and upbeat volunteers to join our busy warehouse team at Montrose Avenue on the Slough Trading Estate. If you’re available on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, we’d love to hear from you.

You’ll be part of a brilliant, hard-working team that sorts and weighs donated food, keeps the warehouse running smoothly, and has plenty of laughs (and the odd coffee breaks) along the way.

If you can give your time, we’ll give you full training, great support, and the chance to make a genuine difference to local people in Slough in crisis.

If this sounds like you, come and join us — we’d be delighted to welcome you into the team.

Location: Shepherd’s Bush, West London

Time Commitment: Approx. 1–2 days per month (including quarterly board meetings and annual Away Day)

Type: Voluntary

Start Date: Early 2026

Join a unique West London charity creating lasting change in people’s lives

The Upper Room is seeking a Chair of Trustees (Designate) to join our Board in 2025/26 and, after a year of active trusteeship and shadowing, to step into the role of Chair when our current Chair reaches the end of their tenure in 2027.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a passionate, values-led individual to help shape the next phase of our work, from strategic resilience to community innovation.

About Us

From small beginnings more than 35 years ago The Upper Room has grown into a thriving charity with an annual budget of around £650K.

Food provision has always been at the heart of what we do. UR4Meals serves approximately 40,000 meals a year, operating five days a week.

UR4Driving works with ex-offenders and young people identified as at risk of offending. We help them pass their driving theory test, and then provide free driving lessons. Last year 37 students gained a full driving licence with us. This has a significant impact on their employability and self-esteem, and dramatically reduces re-offending.

UR4Jobs helps people become work-ready, and supports their wellbeing.

We are still based in our original home at St Saviour’s Church near Shepherd’s Bush in west London.

About the Role

As Chair, you’ll lead a committed and skilled Board of Trustees, working closely with our CEO and senior team to guide strategy, ensure good governance and champion our impact.

You’ll also play a key role externally, acting as an ambassador to funders, partners and supporters.

We’re looking for someone who can

• Provide strategic leadership through a period of growth and innovation
• Foster a culture of inclusion and respect, both on the Board and across the organisation - Support and challenge the CEO, acting as a critical friend and sounding board
• Ensure excellent governance, compliance and risk management
• Represent the charity publicly, building relationships and influence

About You

We welcome candidates with prior Board experience as a Trustee, Chair or Non-Executive Director, and a strong commitment to social justice.

We especially encourage applications from those with lived experience of disadvantage, as well as those from under-represented backgrounds, including individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

We’re interested in candidates with

• A clear understanding of charity governance and the role of a Chair
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement
• A collaborative, values-driven approach
• The time, energy and commitment to make a lasting difference

Additional experience in fundraising, partnerships, organisational development or public sector engagement would be welcome, though not essential.

Time Commitment

• As a Trustee in 2025/ 26 (approx. 1–2 days per month)
• Transition to Chair in 2027, subject to mutual agreement and Board approval
• Quarterly evening Board meetings (in person in London)
• Annual summer Away Day with staff and trustees
• Optional involvement in sub-committees or events depending on interest and availability
• Representing the charity at local events

Why Now

By inviting a prospective Chair to join our Board as a Trustee in 2025/26, we can ensure a smooth, informed transition, with the support and handover of our current Chair, and plenty of time for deep onboarding and relationship-building.

The new Chair will help consolidate our growth, and lead our Board through the next chapter, ensuring our mission continues to serve those who need us most in the years ahead.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a brief covering letter explaining your interest and suitability to the Upper Room.

If you would like to have an informal conversation before applying, feel free to reach out via email to arrange a call.

Because we are planning for the long term we are not placing a deadline on this process. However, we aim to appoint in the first quarter of 2026.

Interviews will be held in two stages, including an in-person meeting with key Board and staff members.

Volunteers are needed to help out at our Parent Carer bereavement support groups on either a Saturday or a Sunday.  This will be in a group setting and you will be working alongside two fully trained adults. 

Duties and responsibilities:

Helping setting up the rooms and resources for activities;

Assist in providing food and drinks for attendees;

Join in group discussions as you feel able and supporting attendees with emotional issues;

Co-facilitate group activities;

Lead activities and provide information on grief to attendees as you feel able depending on experience;

Provide feedback in discussion with Facilitator to Clinical Lead.

You will be offered supervision after attending. 

Holding On Letting Go needs General Duties Volunteers to join our team on either a Saturday or Sunday.  Your day would be made up of helping all of our activities run smoothly at our bereavement support days for children in Kent.  Tasks to be undertaken on the day could be moulding clay balls, laminating, photocopying, washing up paint pots and interacting with children on during their lunch and break times and this would ential kicking a football with the children outside, playing lego or pool or general chatting.  You would be paired up with another volunteer and full training will be provided.  You can choose the days that suit you (we ask all volunteers to commit to atleast 6 days a year with us) and you can pick which of our venues you would like to attend.  We have venues at Sittingbourne, Ramsgate, Sheppey and Sevenoaks. Mileage, food and refreshments are provided.

We are seeking to appoint a volunteer Van Driver, who would work alongside the member of staff responsible for our established Food Bank.  They will also be undertaking other tasks related to the Food Bank, e.g. Putting together food parcels and stock rotation.

Maidstone Homeless Care is a well-established charity supporting homeless and vulnerable people in the Maidstone area . We run an active day centre, busy food bank and a small residential unit supporting homeless people. 

The Day Centre and Food Bank are open every morning, Monday to Friday.  Cover will be required Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

For further information, please call Nick/Brian at Maidstone Day Centre