We have fun and flexible volunteering opportunities available to support our community café project run in partnership with the Black Prince Trust in Lambeth. At the café, we prepare and serve meals and coffees for the local community. In addition, we prepare, cook and package up nutritious tasty meals for local residents affected by the cost-of-living crisis to collect and reheat at home.
The project is co-produced by students at Share, who are adults with learning disabilities and autism, helping to build their employability skills in catering and hospitality. We're committed to sustainability, working with local food redistributors to minimise waste.
You can read more about the project here.
About Share
Share is a registered charity and a centre for training and wellbeing. We provide a range of programmes helping adults with learning disabilities, autism and other support needs become more happy, healthy and independent. Our vision is a world where disabled people are fully included in society, living the life they choose, and we need talented people like you to help us make that happen.
About the role
You'll be supporting a small group of our students to build their catering skills, grow in confidence and become more independent. The Café project involves receiving and sorting through food donations, cooking delicious and nutritious meals, and helping maintain the space. You'll be supported by our Food Hub Coordinator and our Chefs on site.
Commitment
We’re looking for people who are happy to support for one day per week, from 10am - 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. We’re also happy to hear from people who can offer half-day, or fortnightly volunteering.
Who we’re looking for
Our ideal volunteer will:
- Have a strong commitment to the inclusion of disabled people in all areas of life.
- Be reliable and punctual.
- Be patient.
- Be friendly and warm.
- Be flexible and open.
- Have an interest in cooking and working with food.
We're particularly interested to hear from people who live in the local area.
Why choose Share Community?
In 2023, Share was awarded the Investing in Volunteers quality standard for good practice in volunteer management. We were praised for our inclusive, welcoming, and flexible approach.
Previously, we also received a Best Practice in Volunteering Award from Lifetimes, an organisation that supports voluntary and community activity in Wandsworth. They were impressed by the support, training, recognition and reward that we give to our volunteers.
In return for you giving up your time for us, you can expect:
- A warm welcome into our organisation from our dedicated volunteering team.
- A full-day training for all new volunteers to give you confidence in your role.
- Ongoing support, and ‘top-up’ training from staff including topics like: Mental Health First Aid, Safeguarding, and Makaton.
- An opportunity to develop new skills and add to your CV.
- A reference for your time with us.
- Reimbursement of travel expenses within TFL zone 1 – 6.
- £5 towards lunch, or a free lunch in our onsite canteen at our Clapham Junction site (if volunteering for more than four hours a day).
- Invitations to all our events such as: our garden parties, away days, Christmas parties and our student awards ceremony.
- The opportunity to have your say in our annual volunteer survey.
- A genuine opportunity to make a difference and become part of a community.
Please note that all Volunteers are required to provide professional references and undergo an Enhanced DBS check.
If you'd like to have a chat about the role, if you have any questions or if you would like any help with the application, please contact us via email volunteering@sharecommunity.org.uk or telephone 020 7924 2949.