Operations Volunteer Roles

Help tackle loneliness and isolation in your Community. As a Volunteer Befriender, you will visit an older person in their own home once a week for a chat and to provide companionship. 

Our Befriending service supports older adults by alleviating loneliness and isolation, supporting independence, and increasing self-confidence, by making weekly or fortnightly visits to a client living in the borough of Croydon.

We place emphasis on making the right match for you and the client to ensure an enjoyable and rewarding experience. One of the befriending team will work closely with you during the match process and accompany you on your first visit to introduce you to the client.

You will be assigned a line manager who will support and encourage you. We provide a befriending induction along with training and ongoing support to ensure that you are fully equiped and ready for what will be a rewarding and positive experience. Feedback from our clients and volunteers show the huge impact on wellbeing that an hour a week can make.

What will I be doing?

• Visiting an older person in their own home once a week maybe for a cup of tea and a chat.
• Providing companionship.
• Other activities mutually agreed by the Client and the Volunteer such as reading together and puzzles.

What we ask for:

• Good listening skills.
• An open-minded and non-judgemental attitude.
• An ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Realiability.
• Willingness to adhere to Age UK Croydon's policies and procedures

Support the Inclusion Revolution by building our team! We are looking for an experienced HR specialist/ people manager to volunteer with us on a weekly basis to deliver effective people practice and support our growing team. 

95% of adults in the UK with learning disabilities are unemployed. At Fair Shot, we're devoted to empowering young adults with learning disabilities through our hospitality programme. 

You will be working closely with Head of Operations to deliver tasks such as:

- preparing new hire welcome packs and training materials for existing employee;
- conducting employee satisfaction surveys, compiling results for analysis and discussions;
- maintaining employee files and records, and organising meetings such as performance reviews; 
- scheduling training sessions and workshops, and tracking employee training progress and certifications;
- reviewing and updating HR policies and procedures manuals, and communicating policy changes to employees;
- enrolling employees in benefit programmes and answering employee questions.

If you are passionate in building people at a workplace and supporting a great cause about people with learning disability, this is a great opportunity to create an impact through your expertise. 

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just some spare time occasionally, and an ability to get on with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups. If so, this could be the role for you.

What is a Helper?

SSAFA Helpers provide support to local SSAFA branches, so that the service to veterans and their families can run smoothly. Perhaps you could help out at an event, take care of some office admin, or give a talk about SSAFA?

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

We have peak times throughout the year when we need extra volunteers. Whether you enjoy organising behind the scenes or being out meeting the public, we need people who can offer some time on a flexible basis.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role will suit you if you are looking to volunteer on a flexible basis as and when you are available, and we need extra help. You may be based in an office, at home, or out and about at events.

What would you be doing?

• Helping at public events by staffing stalls, stewarding etc
• Helping to distribute Christmas hampers to clients.
• Giving talks about SSAFA to schools and local groups
• Helping with office tasks like stuffing envelopes, ordering marketing materials

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What could you gain from this volunteering role?

• Support people in your community with a military background
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local induction
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people with a cheerful attitude
• Good spoken English
• Ability to represent SSAFA and its values to potential clients, their families, other agencies, potential volunteers and potential funders.
• Ability to keep within the boundaries of the role with regards to safeguarding, giving advice etc.
• Reliable attitude, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.
• Access to transport if needed for your role.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities to have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just some spare time occasionally, and an ability to get on with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups. If so, this could be the role for you.

What is a Helper?

SSAFA Helpers provide support to local SSAFA branches, so that the service to veterans and their families can run smoothly. Perhaps you could help out at an event, take care of some office admin, or give a talk about SSAFA?

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

We have peak times throughout the year when we need extra volunteers. Whether you enjoy organising behind the scenes or being out meeting the public, we need people who can offer some time on a flexible basis.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role will suit you if you are looking to volunteer on a flexible basis as and when you are available, and we need extra help. You may be based in an office, at home, or out and about at events.

What would you be doing?

• Helping at public events by staffing stalls, stewarding etc
• Helping to distribute Christmas hampers to clients.
• Giving talks about SSAFA to schools and local groups
• Helping with office tasks like stuffing envelopes, ordering marketing materials

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What could you gain from this volunteering role?

• Support people in your community with a military background
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local induction
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people with a cheerful attitude
• Good spoken English
• Ability to represent SSAFA and its values to potential clients, their families, other agencies, potential volunteers and potential funders.
• Ability to keep within the boundaries of the role with regards to safeguarding, giving advice etc.
• Reliable attitude, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.
• Access to transport if needed for your role.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities to have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

About Us:

The Orpheus Centre is a specialist further education college and charity working to support young disabled adults, who are passionate about the arts, to achieve their potential and lead independent lives.

Set up by musician and songwriter Sir Richard Stilgoe, Orpheus offers learning, supported housing and personal care on the same site in Godstone, Surrey.

Volunteer Role:

Collection Box Coordinator – 2 hours a week

Why volunteer:

Through volunteering with us you will gain a greater sense of purpose and help with fundraising for Orpheus. You will coordinate the regular collection and replacement of Orpheus donation boxes within the local area and liaise with other volunteers to inform them which boxes need collecting. You will also need to maintain our database, inputting current and new locations, reporting stolen or broken boxes, researching new locations to distribute boxes and inform the Community Fundraiser.

This role would suite someone who is self-motivated, have a confident manner and experience of dealing with the public face-to-face. Experience using excel spreadsheets or databases would be beneficial, however we can provide training if necessary. You’ll need to be reliable, an excellent communicator, have a friendly and enthusiastic personality and committed to helping. Being a car driver will help you within this role.

You will have a mentor who will help and guide you when you first start volunteering at Orpheus.

Training:

Role relevant training, including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Safeguarding will be given prior to start date. There is also the opportunity to attend our Learning Support training.

On-going support will be available throughout your time at Orpheus.

Benefits/What you’ll get:

• Experience of volunteering in an education setting.
• Working within a team as well as independently.
• The opportunity to meet new people and having fun.
• Develop confidence, empathy, listening and communication skills through working with our students.
• Gain experience in the charity sector.
• Opportunities to volunteer at other fundraising or on site events at Orpheus.
• Free on-site parking and expenses claimed back.
• Discounted lunches.
• Volunteer social events, like our Volunteer Tea Party.

Safeguarding:

Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of all service users. We are committed to the promotion of equal opportunities.

This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  It is therefore subject to an Enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS).

Equality & Diversity:

• To enforce the zero tolerance policy of all forms of victimisation, discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
• To be tolerant of differences and use respectful language.
• Ensure professional standards and boundaries are clear.
• To treat everyone respectfully.

Application Process:

Once your application has been received it will be reviewed, you may then be invited in for an informal interview.

Your references will be checked and you will need to complete the online DBS application before bringing the relevant documents in to be checked.

You will then need to attend all of our training. This can all take 3-4 weeks to be completed before you start volunteering with us.

We look forward to hearing from you.

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate individual to join our team as a Volunteer for Community Events. In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact by attending and facilitating community events for LGBTQIA+ Muslim groups in Manchester. Some of the responsibilities include, but aren't limited to:

● Assist the Community Trustee in researching and planning events for the hub in Manchester, London and Scotland

● Communicate with members on our Discord channel to coordinate attendance and activities

● Liaise with speakers, performers, and workshop facilitators to ensure their needs are met and their contributions align with the goals and values of the community.

● Set up and take down meeting rooms including workshop materials, refreshments and other ops as required

● Engage with attendees, volunteers, and stakeholders during events to ensure a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

● Record attendance collect feedback and evaluate the success of each event, making recommendations for improvement.

● Assist workshop leaders and Trustees in delivering activities

● Assist with special projects and initiatives as directed by the Trustees

How much commitment is required?

We are flexible around your schedule. However, the following commitments are in place for volunteers.

● Attend monthly meetings to update on tasks, progress etc.

● Aim to attend all other planning meetings as necessary

● Attend all Hidayah Hub events

● Attend other Hidayah events where geographically possible

● Add to and maintain the administration of our file-sharing system ‘Google Drive’ to ensure it’s up to date with clear records, templates and forms

● Check and respond to emails in a timely manner

● Contribute to the communications group (via Discord) and stay up to date with Hidayah developments

● Keep up to date with Hidayah communication and organisational developments

What do we expect from a volunteer?

Qualities:

● Strong commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of LGBTQIA+ Muslim individuals.

● Knowledge or understanding of the specific challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ Muslims in Manchester.

● Excellent organizational and time management skills.

● Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

● Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

● Flexibility and adaptability to meet the evolving needs of the community.

● Previous experience in events or coordination is preferable but not mandatory.

● Join Hidayah Membership and Hidayah Discord server

● Participating and contributing to discussions on the Hidayah Discord server

● Read all Hidayah policies, keeping up to date with any changes

● Read, understand and agree with the constitution of Hidayah (available on our website)

● Working knowledge of Google Suite, Microsoft, as well as project management, web and comms tools 

Personality:

● A self-starter who can volunteer with minimal supervision

● Friendliness, enthusiasm, dedication, responsiveness, flexibility and eagerness in supporting the aims, vision and mission of Hidayah

Personal Skills:

● Confidence taking the lead with plans and ideas at Trustee meetings

● Ability to resolving conflict situations if needed

● Professionalism in all situations

Please ensure you do not have a conflict of interest with your current role and check this prior to applying for this role.

Benefits to volunteering with Hidayah

Volunteering with Hidayah brings a range of a benefits such as:

● Contributing to Hidayah’s cause

● Supporting vulnerable communities

● Connecting with like-minded, passionate people

● Experience working in community events

● Development of professional networking skills

●       Travel expenses reimbursed (capped at £20)

We invite you to participate and develop your professional and human capabilities in a project of immersion and study of the reality related to the Human Rights of people and families displaced by political violence and their situation of extreme poverty in the Peruvian Andes, especially women. . and children, many of these families, especially children, suffer from health-related problems and malnutrition, lack of educational opportunities and very low self-esteem as a consequence of their social and cultural stigmatization in addition to the lack of job opportunities for their parents.

We intervene directly in these areas and communities, with a holistic approach and carrying out direct social work, our methodology is direct contact with these families and people

We are carrying out research on human rights and gender issues, socioeconomic studies and the impact of the dominant modern culture on the rights and cultural traditions of these people, in addition to carrying out numerous case studies as well as activities related to education, cultural revaluation, gender violence and others

 WE OFFER:

• Option for accommodation in a private room in the organization's house.
• Healthy basic foods and exchange of national or international dishes, local food options upon request.
• Basic work materials.
• Improve your level of Spanish with practical courses from basic Spanish to advanced Spanish
• Personalized advice and tutoring 24 hours a day by members of the organization
• Every weekend there are excursions, campsites and expeditions to many beautiful and enigmatic places, as well as tourist places in the Andes, the jungle of Peru. They are non-commercial trips. There is no additional cost to accompany or guide you.
• Wi-Fi Internet access.
• Work and integration in a very united multicultural team.
• Total sociocultural immersion, living reality and real native culture, interacting with people from the communities, visiting museums, fairs and native markets or participating in celebrations that we organize together to achieve the organization's objectives.
• Learn and experience ancient Andean spiritual and healing traditions (optional) and is intended for interested individuals only.
• Possibility of holding a paid position in the organization, fundraising, teaching courses, etc. They are paid activities.

REQUIREMENTS:

• minimum age: 18+ years.
• have an open, tolerant and positive mentality.
• It is very important to have skill and patience when dealing with young children (5-9 years).
• possess native English or advanced level of English.
• Fill out and send the Application form found on our website
• (optional) skills or interests related to yoga, fitness, holistic energy health, and related spiritual philosophies.
• Highly motivated person who accepts facing challenges.
• ability to work and integrate into a multicultural team.
• (optional) have some level of Spanish.
• Although anyone can apply for the Volunteer position, the internship is aimed at students or university graduates or those with technical training.
• contact or communication via Skype, WhatsApp or social network.

COST:

There is no cost to volunteer with our organization.

Accommodation:

option of accommodation in the organization's home at a low price, 50% discount or exemption from this contribution for accommodation from the second month of participation to those participants who have good social work and integration into our work team. (for more details see the accommodation option on our website)

During the last few years we have been working with international volunteers from all over the world developing activities and projects aimed at the organization and empowerment of groups of Andean migrant women in areas and populations in extreme poverty, in the Peruvian Andes.

We focus on aspects such as gender equality, gender issues and sociocultural exclusion of internal immigrants, domestic violence, sexuality, reproductive and preventive health, nutrition and other topics related to these.

Our way of working is quite direct, developing our work face to face in the same place and setting of social and cultural reality, with a well-coordinated teamwork between the organization, the volunteers and the communities, enabling a greater and better impact. . positive in the lives of these people

**we offer:

• Option for accommodation in a private room in the organization's home.
• Healthy basic food and exchange of national or international dishes, local food options upon request.
• Basic work materials.
• improve your level of Spanish with practical courses from basic Spanish to advanced Spanish
• Personalized advice and tutoring 24 hours a day by members of the organization
• Every weekend there are excursions, camping and expeditions to many beautiful and enigmatic places, as well as tourist places in the Andes, the jungle of Peru. They are non-commercial trips. There is no additional cost to accompany or guide you.
• Wi-Fi Internet access.
• Work and integration in a very united multicultural team.
• Complete sociocultural immersion, living reality and real native culture, interacting with people from the communities, visiting museums, fairs and native markets or participating in celebrations that we organize together to achieve the organization's objectives.
• Learn about and experience the many ancient Andean spiritual and healing traditions (optional) and is intended for interested individuals only.
• Possibility of holding a paid position in the organization, fundraising, teaching courses, etc. They are paid activities.

REQUIREMENTS:

• minimum age: 18+ years.
• have an open, tolerant and positive mindset.
• It is very important to have the ability and patience to deal with little kids (5-9 years old).
• possess native English or advanced level of English.
• Fill out and send the Application form that is on our website
• (optional) skills or interests related to yoga, fitness, holistic energetic health, and related spiritual philosophies.
• Highly motivated person who accepts to face challenges.
• ability to work and integrate in a multicultural team.
• (optional) have some level of Spanish.
• Although anyone can apply for the Volunteer position, internship is aimed at students or university graduates or those with technical training.
• contact or communication via Skype, WhatsApp or social network.

COST:

There is No cost to participate as a volunteer in our organization

Accommodation:

option of accommodation in the organization's house at a low price, 50% discount or exemption from this contribution for accommodation from the second month of participation to those participants who have a good social work and integration into our work team. (for more details see the accommodation option on our website)

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:

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

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

• Ability to follow procedures and instructions

• Good verbal communication skills

• High respect for Health & Safety procedures and standards

• Reliability and ability to commit to pre-agreed volunteer shifts

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 4pm. 

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.

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 should:

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).

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

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.

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

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. 

Driver 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.

Whether you’re a jobseeker interested in a career in construction or woodwork, a student or recent college graduate seeking experience, or just someone with spare time on your hands, wanting to do something positive and meet new people, volunteering with the Touch Wood project at EMERGE 3Rs may be just the ticket!

Touch Wood is a wood recycling and upcycling initiative, which collects surplus and waste wood and timber and gives it a new lease of life.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Preparing wood for resale

* Assisting with the construction of wooden products, from small household items to pieces of furniture

Our Touch Wood volunteers are able to gain skills in practical woodworking, as we offer hands-on experience of working with reclaimed timber; from making basic lumber products ready for resale, through to assisting with the creation of bespoke items, such as kitchen equipment and home and garden furniture.

Full training in woodworking and health and safety is provided, along with Personal Protection Equipment.

The UK generates around 5 million tonnes of wood waste every year, but less than 1% is reused. Touch Wood rescues waste timber that would otherwise be landfilled or turned into woodchip; creating jobs and training opportunities for disadvantaged local people at the same time. We collect from construction sites, industrial estates and other commercial sources, reclaiming everything from pallets to indoor cycle tracks – you name it, we take it! Anything we can’t reuse is locally recycled, so nothing goes to waste.  This reduces the carbon emissions associated with disposing of waste wood, offers cost savings for DIY enthusiasts, and provides training and job potential to volunteers in the workshop. Some of the timber we work with comes from high profile sources, including the entire track of the Manchester Velodrome cycling centre and wood removed in the recent refurbishment of Manchester’s historic Town Hall!

Our skilled team of staff and volunteers often use reclaimed timber to create beautiful and practical products, such as home and garden furniture. We regularly create bespoke pieces to order; some of it for famous clients like Olympic cycling champions Jason and Laura Kenny, for whom we made a table from the Manchester Velodrome track.

Please be advised that our volunteers require a fair level of physical fitness and manual dexterity as the role is entirely practical.

Our Touch Wood workshop and wood store is open Mon-Fri, 8.30am - 4pm (or outside of these hours only by arrangement). We occupy a unit at Maynard House, inside New Smithfield Market, in Openshaw, North Manchester, which is accessed from the main entrance on Whitworth Street East (off Ashton Old Road).

Would you like to help end food poverty and tackle climate change and CO2 emissions in Greater Manchester, whilst at the same time gaining valuable CV-enhancing experience and skills?

What we offer you

• Induction, training and support from the staff of FareShare and its parent charity, EMERGE 3Rs.

• Practical experience and transferable skills in warehousing and food redistribution.

• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses  – up to £5.80 for travel and up to £3 for lunch, upon completion of a 4 hour shift. (We can also provide you with lunch if you don't bring your own).

• A reference after 2 months with us.

• An understanding of warehousing and logistics, and the importance of food surplus and recycling initiatives to both the community and the environment.

As a sustainability charity, we take surplus food that's donated to us by manufacturers and retailers and redistribute it to people in need across the city region. The front line initiatives we support include food banks, schools, community groups and charities who, in turn, help people who are disadvantaged by poverty.

Our vital work supports people experiencing extreme hardship and prevents perfectly good food going to landfill, where it would otherwise contribute to climate warming. 

We need helping hands in our busy warehouse to receive and catalogue supplies, to load and unload vans, and to prepare orders for delivery. In return we offer training and support to help you obtain skills and experience to boost your CV if you are seeking work. If you're not aiming for employment, volunteering with is is rewarding in many other ways; offering an opportunity to make new friends, keep physically active and 

This role is vital to the work of FareShare, ensuring that the food delivered to our warehouse is correctly sorted, labelled and organised into orders placed by our charities and community groups, (who we call Community Food Members).

It is perfect for someone who is:

a) Looking for a practical activity.

b) Looking for experience and skills to gain employment in the food industry, warehousing and customer service.

c) Wanting to help their community and/or help tackle global warming.

d) Wanting to make new friends.

e) Wanting to keep busy and/or physically fit.

Our volunteer opportunities are available Monday to Friday, for a whole or half day, with shifts between 8:30-am - 12:30pm and 12:30 - 4:30pm. Volunteers are typically involved for one day a week.

What will I be doing?

Receiving, sorting, cataloguing and storing chilled and ambient surplus food in a warehouse, and preparing orders for delivery. You’ll also assist customers when they come to pick up their orders.

• Ensuring food quality and safety by checking ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates.

• Sorting and unpacking deliveries, categorising and recording food.

• Assembling food orders placed by charities and community groups.

• Assisting our Community Food Members with their food order collections. 

• Maintaining health and safety and food hygiene standards. 

• Helping with cleaning and other tasks as identified by warehouse staff.

Person Specification 

• Must be physically fit to carry out tasks including lifting and loading.

• Have a good command of English in order to understand and follow instructions and health and safety rules. 

• Have basic literacy and numeracy skills to record quantities and types of food donated.

• Able to work in a manner that respects Health and Safety standards.

• Be happy to complete tasks independently according to instruction.

• Be positive, friendly and enthusiastic about tackling food waste and food poverty.

Must be reliable and able to commit to an agreed session/day.

We are located in our brand new depot at Maynard House, New Smithfield Market, Openshaw, Manchester M11 2WJ.

Monday Volunteer Van driver needed! – Hailsham

Would you like to be a part of your local community? Are you looking for a volunteering opportunity? Do you enjoy driving and would like to make a difference? If any of these resonated with you, then you are in the right place!

The role

We are looking for a Monday Volunteer Van driver to support our van team in our Furniture Now! Hailsham store. This role will enable us to run the van on an extra day of the week and maximise the opportunity for furniture collection/deliveries for our charity. We are a donation-based furniture store charity, and donations are vital to the running of our operations. Helping us run the van more often would help us fulfil our mission and make a big difference!

There will always be at least one van assistant (sometimes two) with you on the van. They will support you by directing you to the right location and completing admin work. Full induction and training are provided (some of which you can add to your CV!).

By joining us, you will become part of the Furniture Now! Hailsham store team made up of a Shop Manager, Assistant Manager, van driver, and van assistants as well as volunteers. Free hot beverages and biscuits are always available on-site and you will be able to join our team events!

Shift patterns

We are looking for support on Monday mornings as a priority but would be grateful to receive help anytime. The shift pattern is either a half day (morning shift: 8.30am – 12pm or afternoon shift: 12pm – 4.30pm) or a full day (8.30am – 4.30pm).

Benefits

- Travel expenses are fully covered after 2 hours of volunteering!

- Volunteer discounts are available on all our second-hand stock!

- Taster shifts are available to see if this is the right fit for you.

- Grow your CV with a new experience and a new reference!

- Meet like-minded people and be a part of your local community.

About the Charity

Furniture Now! is an East Sussex chain of charity furniture stores, part of the Now! Charity Group Ltd. We aim to end local poverty and fight for the environment. We act at different levels by making furniture accessible to those most in need through our special two-tier discount, working in partnership with social funds to furnish refugees’ homes, and issuing grants to environmentally and socially focused local actions.

We recently started providing free sanitary products in all 3 of our stores in a bid to end Period Poverty. This is an exciting time to join our charity as we are also about to open a Community Shed in our Hailsham store to provide the local community with a third space, where people can meet, hang out, and upcycle furniture.

Our values

· People Matter: We value people, and their ideas and are committed to listening and acting on them.

· Leading social change: We are driven to improve the quality of life and social mobility for people in our communities.

· Sustainability committed: We care about the environment and consciously take action, actively finding ways to shape local green habits through recycling, reuse, and repair.

Location:

Furniture Now! Hailsham

9 High Street,

Hailsham

 Volunteer Van assistant needed! – Eastbourne

Would you like to be a part of your local community and make a difference? Are you looking for a volunteering opportunity? Do you enjoy being physically active? If any of these resonated with you, then you are in the right place!

The role

We are looking for a Volunteer Van assistant to support our van team in our Furniture Now! Eastbourne store. This role will enable us to support our existing van team and run the van on extra days of the week and maximise the opportunity for furniture collection/deliveries for our charity. We are a donation-based furniture store charity, and donations are vital to the running of our operations. Helping us with the van would help us fulfil our mission and make a big difference!

There will always be a van driver with you, and sometimes a second van assistant as well. Full induction and training are provided ; such as Manual handling (and some of which you can add to your CV!).

By joining us, you will become part of the Furniture Now! Eastbourne store team which is made up of a Shop Manager, Assistant Manager, van driver, and van assistants as well as volunteers. Free hot beverages and biscuits are always available on-site and you will be able to join our team events!

Shift patterns

We are looking for support on Mondays as a priority but would be grateful to receive help anytime of the week! The shift pattern is either a half day (morning shift: 8.30am – 12pm or afternoon shift: 12pm – 4.30pm) or a full day (8.30am – 4.30pm).

Benefits

- Travel expenses are fully covered after 2 hours of volunteering!

- Volunteer discounts are available on all our second-hand stock!

- Taster shifts are available to see if this is the right fit for you.

- Grow your CV with a new experience and a new reference!

- Meet like-minded people and be a part of your local community.

About the Charity

Furniture Now! is an East Sussex chain of charity furniture stores, part of the Now! Charity Group Ltd. We aim to end local poverty and fight for the environment. We act at different levels by making furniture accessible to those most in need through our special two-tier discount, working in partnership with social funds to furnish refugees’ homes, and issuing grants to environmentally and socially focused local actions.

We recently started providing free sanitary products in all 3 of our stores in a bid to end Period Poverty. This is an exciting time to join our charity as we are also about to open a Community Shed in our Hailsham store to provide the local community with a third space, where people can meet, hang out, and upcycle furniture.

Our values

· People Matter: We value people, and their ideas and are committed to listening and acting on them.

· Leading social change: We are driven to improve the quality of life and social mobility for people in our communities.

· Sustainability committed: We care about the environment and consciously take action, actively finding ways to shape local green habits through recycling, reuse, and repair.

Location:

Furniture Now! Eastbourne

3A Courtlands Road

Eastbourne

East Sussex