Volunteer
There are lots of ways to get involved if you’re able to contribute some time. You can do as much volunteering as works for you. Please come and help us in our mission to share food across our community, and build a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow.
​Benefits of volunteering
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Give back to the community - one of the NHS’s 5 Ways to Wellbeing!
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Gain access to free workshops for volunteers and upskill on a range of topics (conflict resolution, mental health first aid, arts and crafts, and more)
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Join free social events for volunteers (such as picnics, walks, games nights, and celebration events)
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Gain a sense of community and meet the huge team of volunteers
Open Positions
We often recruit for specific positions within the Foodbank. This could be a lead role where you will have a particular responsibility for an area of the Foodbank or it could be a position that requires a special skill, such as social media management, book-keeping or copy writing. If you’re interested, please take a look at our current vacancies further down this page.
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Rota
Our main volunteer rota is for packing and serving when the Food Bank is open. Volunteers unpack items from storage, set up tables and make the hall ready for guests. They serve guests during opening hours, and at the end of the shift there’s some clearing up to do. Volunteers are responsible for booking their own shifts so please look out for the link to the rota after you join!
Drivers
We are always on the lookout for drivers who can help move food we have sourced for the Food Bank. Most are local deliveries which are arranged as and when supplies become available. Drivers stay in touch via a chat group with Drivers responding to requests if they’re able to take them on.
Food sourcing
Sourcing products for the Food Bank is essential, and our amazing Food Sourcing team are constantly on the case. They need help with ordering food, phone calls and developing contacts as well as pick-ups and deliveries.
Current Vacancies
Fundraising Lead (Volunteer)​
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Summary of role
We are looking for a volunteer Fundraising Lead to play a significant role in shaping a fundraising strategy, help raise awareness of Bounds Green Food Bank (BGFB), and generate income through events, projects, and fundraising activities.
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Location
Remote
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Hours
Approx. 4 hours per week (to be fitted around your own schedule)
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What does the role involve?
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Work with the Board of Trustees to agree a fundraising strategy, including setting annual fundraising targets
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Help to develop a fundraising team
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Identify income-generating opportunities and develop projects
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Build, develop, and maintain relationships to secure funding
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Provide guidance to other teams that support fundraising initiatives e.g. the Grant Writing Team, Events Team, and Communications Team
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Person specification
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Passionate about food insecurity and reducing social isolation
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Experience working in a fundraising role, including grants, trusts, and foundations
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Ability and willingness to work to financial targets
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and attention to detail
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Able to work flexibly and under pressure
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Ability to be creative and entrepreneurial in order to find new ways to raise funds
How to apply
Please contact volunteersupport@boundsgreenfoodbank.org for a discussion about this role.
Food Service Volunteers
We need enthusiastic, hands-on volunteers needed to help provide food to the community.
In this key role, you will work at the main hub of the food bank and help the food service run as smoothly as possible. An exciting opportunity to make a real, immediate impact to those in need of support.
Hours
Tuesdays and/or Thursdays, 10:00 to 12:30, 12.30 to 15:00, or 14:45 to 17:00.
Book shifts to suit your own schedule!
Location
St Michael's Church Hall, 37 Bounds Green Rd, London, N22 8HE
The role
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Help with setting up the food service and replenishing goods when needed, including decanting and repacking items
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Warmly welcome guests, serving them the appropriate number of items depending on their household size and needs
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Follow food bank policies including Health and Safety procedures, e.g. wearing gloves when handling fresh food and lifting boxes safely
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Keep the hall tidy throughout the food service, e.g. tidying away boxes and neatly restocking items
Person specification
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Patient and flexible
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A team player
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Understands and is sensitive to the challenges and difficulties faced by guests accessing the food bank, e.g. food and fuel poverty, feelings of shame and embarrassment, language barriers
Please contact volunteersupport@boundsgreenfoodbank.org for a discussion about this role.
Food Service Coordinator (Volunteer)​
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Summary of role
A key role at the food bank, you will run one shift a week alongside other Coordinators. You will work in close cooperation with volunteers and guests, ensuring that the food service is as smooth as possible, and dealing with any incidents that may arise.
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Location
St Michael's Church Hall, 37 Bounds Green Rd, London, N22 8HE
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Hours
Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9am to 1pm or 12.30pm to 5pm. Plus a fortnightly meeting (2 hours)
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What does the role involve?
1. Managing Food Service Volunteers
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Manage the Section Leads and Food Service Volunteers, allocating tasks according to each volunteer’s experience and ability
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Make sure volunteers are aware of and follow food bank policies and procedures (e.g. the Kitchen Policy and using the food bank themselves)
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Ensure volunteers follow all health and safety precautions, including checking all items are in-date
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Ensure all volunteers sign the register
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Support volunteers, ensure they take breaks, help them deal with any difficult incidents, and ensure they alert you to any issues
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Be available to volunteers and responsive to their needs
2. Managing Guests
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Ensure that guests have completed the registration process and are referred to the Advice Team where eligibility to use the food bank has not been confirmed
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Treat all guests equally, welcoming them to the food bank and making sure they are respected and thought about
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Ensure the order of the queue is maintained
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Deal with any issues by speaking directly to the guest, asking them to follow the rules and helping them deal with any difficult incidents
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Ensure no alcohol or drugs are used at the food bank or in the queue
3. Completing Daily Duties
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Prepare for setting up from 9am and complete shift at 1pm (depending on shift time)
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Prepare to open the food bank to guests at 1pm and lock up at 5pm (depending on shift time)
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Receive deliveries: know what deliveries to anticipate and coordinate volunteers to direct the driver, unload their vehicle, and load crates in the hall
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Organise the decanting and repacking of items
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Keep an eye on stocks and make a note of shortages
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Complete additional tasks that may arise e.g. bagging food, getting rid of waste, and updating admin
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Ensure the hall is clean and organised before locking up
Person specification
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Has 6 months’ experience in a similar capacity
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Can organise and manage tasks efficiently
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Can keep calm under pressure
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Able to de-escalate difficult situations
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Be willing to attend training, e.g. safeguarding, first aid, and management skills
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Willing to do administrative work (e.g. taking minutes and reading the minutes of other meetings shared with the Food Service Team)
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Reliable, assertive, and tactful with both volunteers and guests
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Team player with good communication skills