Food bank volunteer volunteer roles in st albans, hertfordshire

About the Community Food Hub

Our Community Food Hub is dedicated to providing nutritious food to those in need while fostering a strong sense of community. We offer a sustainable model that involves food donations, partnerships with local organisations, and volunteer-led initiatives to ensure that food insecurity is addressed effectively and with care.

We are seeking passionate and skilled individuals to join our Board of Directors. If you have knowledge of food systems, a strong network, or experience in volunteer recruitment and community development, we would love to hear from you!

Role Overview

As a Board Member, you will play a vital role in guiding the strategic direction of the food hub. Your contributions will ensure that the hub continues to support the community through partnerships, volunteer recruitment, and maximising food resources for those who need them most.

Key Responsibilities

•Strategic Input: Contribute to the overall strategic vision of the Food Hub and its programs.

•Food Systems Knowledge: Share insights on food sourcing, sustainability, and distribution to ensure the hub operates efficiently and ethically.

•Networking: Leverage your connections within the food industry, local businesses, and community organisations to secure partnerships and support for the Hub’s initiatives.

•Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement: Help recruit, train, and retain volunteers to ensure smooth day-to-day operations of the hub.

•Community Outreach & Partnerships: Forge relationships with local agencies, schools, and organisations to enhance community engagement and food distribution efforts.

•Fundraising & Awareness: Support fundraising efforts by connecting the hub with donors, sponsors, and funding opportunities to sustain its operations.

•Oversight: Attend board meetings and contribute to decision-making that ensures the hub meets its goals and remains compliant with local regulations.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for individuals who have:

•Knowledge of Food Systems (e.g., food sourcing, distribution, nutrition, sustainability).

•Networking Skills: Ability to connect with local businesses, organisations, and individuals who can support the Hub.

•Experience in Partnerships: Proven ability to foster relationships with external stakeholders, including local food banks, schools, and community organisations.

•Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement: Experience in recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers.

•Interest in Community Development: Passion for making a tangible difference in addressing food insecurity and supporting community well-being.

Commitment

•Time Commitment: 6–10 hours per month (flexible)

•Location: Hybrid (Remote and in-person board meetings)

•Term: Minimum one-year commitment (renewable)

•Board meetings occur quarterly, with additional time as required for planning or networking

What You’ll Gain

•The opportunity to be part of a growing initiative that tackles food insecurity in your community.

•Experience in nonprofit governance, strategic planning, and community outreach.

•Access to a wide network of professionals, organisations, and partners in the food and nonprofit sectors.

•Personal satisfaction knowing you’ve helped nourish your community and support those in need.

How to Apply

To express your interest in joining the Board of Directors, please send your CV or a brief letter of interest to:

Subject: Board Member Application

We value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Join us in creating a future where everyone has access to nutritious food and a strong, connected community.

Exeter Food Action (EFA) is seeking to appoint one or more trustees with particular experience in fundraising, marketing or comms.

EFA is an Exeter-based charity  dedicated to tackling food waste and food insecurity. We ‘rescue’ surplus food from supermarkets, producers and other sources, redistributing it to over 60 food banks and community groups in Exeter and across Devon. These organisations, in turn, support thousands of individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

It’s a shocking fact that, globally, some 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted each year.  In the UK alone, up to 40% of food produced never gets eaten.

By preventing surplus food from going to waste, we aim to reduce environmental harm while making a meaningful difference to the lives of people living with food insecurity. The volume of food we rescue increases year on year and has increased fivefold since we became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2017.

In 2023, in partnership with FareShare (South West), we distributed just over 118 tonnes of food to 64 food banks and community groups, (equivalent to the weight of 3 Boeing 737-800 planes), supporting thousands of people every week. We anticipate that our 2024 figures will be the same, if not higher.

As a Trustee, you will:

· Help shape the strategic direction of our organisation,

· Ensure our resources are managed effectively and ethically,

· Attend quarterly Board meetings and other occasional events,

· Act as an ambassador for our mission within your community.

· Take a lead on a specific area where you will be supported by the wider trustee and staff and volunteer teams.

What we’re looking for

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, particularly those with skills or experience in:

· Fundraising,

· Legal expertise or governance,

· Marketing, branding or comms

Why join us?

· Be part of a passionate and dynamic team,

· Use your skills and experience to benefit a cause close to your heart,

· Gain valuable experience in governance and leadership.

The current trustee board is made up of 6 people from a wide range of backgrounds.EFA employs 3 members of staff and has over 50 active volunteers.

How to apply

Interested? Please share your CV with letter of interest with us. 

Applications close on May 1st 2025 .

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe in the strength of a diverse board and encourage applications from all ages, genders, ethnicities, abilities, and backgrounds.

Are you willing to give your time and expertise to support those in food poverty in N22 and surrounding areas?

Bounds Green Food Bank has been in existence since 2020, operating as an independent charity since September 2023.  Our Board of 5 Trustees seek to recruit additional people to add to our team.

We are particularly interested in people who have skills in the areas of fundraising, communication and organisational development – however, we also welcome applications from those with a genuine interest and the ability to contribute to our strategy and future direction.

Hours: 1-3 hours a week, to find around your schedule. Includes 2-hour monthly meetings (online).

Location: Remote with occasional meetings in N22, London.

About Bounds Green Food Bank: 

Open since June 2020, we serve over 1,500 children and adults in the community. We are committed to improving lives by providing food and essential household items to build a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow. We strive to promote social inclusion by supporting people who find themselves in a crisis situation where they need assistance to feed themselves and their families.

The role: 

• As trustees, you must:

1. always act in the best interests of the charity – you must not let your personal interests, views or prejudices affect your conduct as a trustee.

2. act reasonably and responsibly in all matters relating to the charity – act with as much care as if you were dealing with your own affairs, taking advice if you need it.

3. only use the charity’s income and property for the purposes set out in its governing document.

4. make decisions in line with good practice and the rules set by the charity’s governing document.

Person specification: 

• Understand and support the purpose of BGFB as a community led organisation whose primary aim is to prevent/relieve poverty.

• Either have lived experience, or understand the reasons for food poverty and why BGFB is an important asset to our community. 

• Can work collaboratively with others in a team, using their skills to make decisions in the best interests of BGFB, holding responsibility and accountability individually and jointly. 

• Can demonstrate awareness and understanding of the legal responsibilities of being a Trustee, and best practice in charity governance.

• Must be able to obtain a DBS, be able to attend required training and meetings (usually twice per month), and have not been disqualified to stand as a Trustee/Director.

Experience required: 

• We are particularly interested in people with expertise in fundraising and communication. However, we would also like to hear from anyone who has skills and experience they can use to help us achieve our strategic goals. The list below are possible areas but should not be considered as finite:

1. Community organising. 

2. Safeguarding/health and safety. 

3. Food distribution. 

4. Human resources/legal.

• Experience and knowledge of volunteer-led organisations would be helpful but is not essential.

Please get in touch if you have any questions/would like to find out more!

Brent Foodbank are seeking to recruit two trustees - one to act as our Fundraising Lead, with the other supporting the work of the Board of Trustees more generally to support the food bank to meet its core purpose.

What will you be doing?

General Trustee Key responsibilities:

• As board members, we work to set a long-term strategy for Brent Foodbank, defining clear objectives and milestones to be monitored and refined.
• Managing Brent Foodbank’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.
• Ensure appropriate financial plans are in place for future budget allocations as well as ensuring that the charity is accountable, actively complying with statutory accounting and reporting requirements and the law.
• Adhering to best practice for governance of the Foodbank’s assets and staff.
• Ensure the Foodbank has appropriate procedures in place to comply with current legislation and best practice, including - employment, health and safety, safeguarding, equal opportunities and GDPR/data protection compliance.
• Ensure the Foodbank treats all its Clients with dignity and respect taking account of the diversity of our Clients.
• Acting with reasonable care and skill.
• Seeking to promote Brent Foodbank in the community. Acting as an ambassador for Brent Foodbank, promoting Brent Foodbank widely, for instance, on social media to our stakeholders, including: our Clients, Volunteers and potential funders/donors.

Note that if a Trustee becomes involved in making a Gift Aid claim for the Foodbank, a fit and proper person referral would be required.

Fundraising Lead Trustee Key responsibilities (in addition to the above):

• To work alongside the Treasurer and the rest of the Board to plan what level of funds are required to be generated to ensure the effective running of the charity.
• To work alongside the Trustee Board to ensure that any grants are sought and written with the purpose of meeting the charity's vision and objectives.
• To pilot the organisation of a fundraising sub-committee and lead on local fund-raising opportunities to support the running of the charity, including incorporating national Trussell fundraising campaigns/events throughout the year.
• To oversee, with operational management support, the writing of high-quality grant applications that align with the charity's vision and objectives.
• Regularly communicate with the rest of the Trustee Board via Trustee meetings or any other communication of any relevant information and/or developments regarding fundraising or grant applications.

What are we looking for?

The role involves acting as a charity trustee to set the strategic direction for the food bank.  Providing good governance, ensuring that the food bank meets its objectives and fulfils its charitable purpose.  Ensuring the food bank operates within its budget and in compliance with its charity, legal and operational goals.

Trustees are required to comply with the food bank’s governing documents, charity law and other relevant laws. They must act in the food bank’s best interests, including deciding what will best enable the charity to carry out its purpose, as well as making informed decisions to support food bank staff in achieving the vision/objectives of the food bank and ensuring there is a good relationship between the Trustee Board, food bank staff, and our stakeholders including: volunteers, our clients, funders, donors and the community in Brent.

Brent 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. 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 commitment to the work of Brent Foodbank.
• A knowledge and passion for your local community.
• Passion for our vision and goals.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Willingness to actively participate in discussions concerning needs of the foodbank’s beneficiaries, staff, and the trustee board.
• Independent judgement and ability to think strategically.
• Able to work effectively as part of a trustee team, contributing and considering others’ views.
• Able to commit the time and effort required.
• Bring relevant capabilities that help the board perform its role effectively and achieve the food bank's vision.
• Understanding and commitment to principles of equality, equity, diversity and inclusion.

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

• Serving on a board of trustees or committee
• Strategy development
• Working or volunteering in a fundraising role
• Designing or organising events
• Grant writing

What difference will you make?

By supporting the governance of the food bank, you are part of a team providing a vital holistic support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting or anyone who comes into contact with Brent Foodbank.

Sustainability Research Volunteer
People & Planet is looking for volunteers to assist with compiling its 2025/26 People & Planet
University League; the only higher education ranking that classifies based on ethics and climate
justice criteria.
Universities impart skills and knowledge, form life-long beliefs and behaviours, act as centres of
communities, employ, house and feed large numbers of people and promote the creation and
sharing of knowledge. We believe this makes them uniquely placed to lead on environmental and
ethical issues. For this reason the People & Planet University League has been running since 2007
and has been published by high-profile media partners such as The Guardian (2021, 2022. 2023,
2024) and whose data is used in the Sunday Time Good University Guide.
Volunteers will research publicly available university documents and assess universities against
our marking criteria, which cover a wide range of climate and social justice issues including
decarbonisation, fossil fuel divestment, ethical banking, workers’ rights and environmental
management among others. This work will help to incentivise the university sector towards taking
immediate and appropriate action on the climate crisis and upholding the rights and wellbeing of all
people internationally.

The role will develop and improve the following areas:
●​ Qualitative research skills
●​ Attention to detail
●​ Use of data collection software
●​ Time management and keeping to deadlines
●​ Working independently and remotely
●​ Communication skills
●​ Knowledge of environmental management processes and sustainability reporting.

Training is provided for the role. We believe the skills and experience gained could be valuable for
a number of career paths, including working in NGOs, corporate sustainability, estates
management, higher education policy making, research and campaigning among many others.
People & Planet would like to support volunteers in their future careers, so will give all volunteers
an official reference letter on successful completion of their placement and will act as a referee for
future positions for which you may apply. From last year’s cohort, 100% said they would
recommend this position to someone who wanted to add experience to their CV.

Feedback from previous volunteers
‘I think as someone looking for relevant experience to bolster a CV, this is a helpful and
not-too-time-consuming position. It had exactly the kind of flexibility that I required at this point in time.’
‘It's a really great opportunity to hone one's research skills, learn more about what our universities can do to
improve their impact on the planet, and make a small but real difference.’

Person Specification -the following are essential:

• Access to a computer or laptop and internet connection.
• Familiarity with desk-based research.
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently to agreed standards.
• Reliability and commitment to completing work to deadlines.Sustainability Research Volunteer
• Able to communicate needs with staff at People & Planet and if needed, ask for appropriate
• support to complete tasks in time.
• Ability to search policy documents for specific information in English.
• Ability to assess information against standardised frameworks.
• Ability to work remotely and independently

The following are desirable:

●​ Awareness of current issues in sustainability and ethics.
●​ Experience of research and data collection.
●​ An interest in higher education policy.
You will need to commit to
●​ Two 25 hour weeks of remote work in July and August.
●​ 5 hours work per day for the two week period. Volunteers can manage their own time
flexibly and will receive support from People & Planet, but must meet task deadlines on a
weekly basis and attend a short daily meeting.
●​ One half day of remote training and induction the week prior to your 2 week engagement.
●​ Attending a brief meeting in the morning or afternoon each day and one individual check-in
meeting in week 1.

Summer timetable
June 30th-July 11th Ethical Investment and Banking, Ethical Careers and Recruitment,
Education for Sustainable Development. Training and induction w/c 23rd June
July 21st-1st August Sustainable Food, Staff & HR, Environmental Policy and Strategy
Training and induction w/c 14th July
August 11th-August 22nd Managing Carbon, Workers’ Rights, Staff and Student
Engagement, Environmental Management and Auditing. Training and induction w/c August
4th

Application

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis until positions are filled, so please apply early to
avoid disappointment. The deadline for applications is Friday June the 6th 2025
Candidates will need to attend a non-competitive group recruitment session and complete an
online self-access task before being invited to volunteer with us.
Please let us know if you have specific access needs and what we can do to make the interview,
training and volunteer experience more accessible to you, including organising a one-on-one
interview. We welcome people with hearing loss, deaf and or disabled people to apply for thisSustainability Research Volunteer volunteer opportunity -unfortunately we don't use BSL so would need to make alternative support provisions for the training, unless a BSL interpreter can join you. If you have specific needs where
we might support you by making this volunteering opportunity more accessible, please let us know via email
People & Planet welcome applications from BAME folks and people of colour, from disabled people, from LGBTQI*people, from people who speak English as a second language, from people who identify as non-binary gender, from women, from people of different ages, from people with caring responsibilities and from people with irregular migration status, people seeking asylum in the UK or with a migrant background, folks with a working class background, and everyone else.