We are looking for Food On Our Doorstep (FOOD) Club volunteers to become part of a friendly team that is supporting local households to maximise their income, try new foods, learn new recipes, and make new friends!
Who you will be helping
You will be volunteering in one or more of our FOOD Clubs in the area which support local households. The clubs offer a range of good-quality food at a low cost. It costs just £1 a year to become a FOOD Club member, and members can then purchase a range of tasty food items every week worth approx. £15 for a small weekly donation.
The difference you will make
FOOD Clubs are about much more than just food, and there are frequent wraparound sessions taking place alongside the FOOD Club service. Depending on the club, these might include holiday activities for children and their families, information about energy efficiency and safety, sharing recipe ideas, visits from local partners, and sessions focusing on employability or finance.
From the feedback we receive, we know our clubs make a huge difference to people. Members tell us FOOD Club has changed their lives massively and that they couldn’t live without it. As well as being financially better off, members often say being a club member encourages them to try different foods and learn a wide range of recipes. FOOD Club also enables members to meet people in their local community, and make new friends.
Typical tasks within this role:
Tasks will vary depending on the focus of your local club, and your interests and availability, but could include for instance:
- Supporting with admin tasks such as handing out recipes.
- Checking use by/best before dates on food, and storing food items in the fridge or freezer.
- Setting up beforehand and tidying up at the end of the club.
- Supporting members at the club by explaining what is on offer, serving light refreshments, or signposting them to local services.
- Supporting staff to deliver wraparound sessions on topics such as energy saving, or family-friendly holiday activities.
- Promoting the club at community events.
Who are we looking for?
There is no typical Family Action volunteer. We want our volunteers to be as diverse as the people we support. We need volunteers with a range of life experiences, skills and knowledge.
In return for giving your time and talents, you will receive initial training, ongoing support, and the reward of knowing that you are making a real difference.
Working in FOOD Clubs will suit volunteers who:
- Have experience of or an interest in retail, admin, education, working with families, and/or volunteering in local communities.
- Are keen to work as part of a small team, with other volunteers and FOOD Club staff.
- Are looking to build their confidence and social networks.
- Are enthusiastic about delivering high quality customer service to our members.
- Are willing to take training relevant to their role (eg food safety, allergy awareness).
- May be looking to gain the skills and experience they need to move into a paid role or access a college course.
Some (but not all) roles within FOOD Clubs require volunteers to lift and carry food crates, drive between club venues, and collect money using a card reader. (We will agree preferred tasks together with each volunteer.)
What’s in it for you?
Family Action volunteers tell us that volunteering with us can be challenging at times, but it is also very rewarding. Many of our volunteers also report that they have enjoyed:
- Becoming a part of Family Action, a national charity with over 150 years of experience supporting families
- Meeting new people and being part of a team
- Connecting with and making a difference to the lives of people in your community
- Regular training and development opportunities
- The opportunity to improve future employment prospects
- Developing new skills;
- Increased confidence and self-esteem.
All Family Action volunteers receive full training and access to ongoing supervision and support for as long as they are in the role. For FOOD Club volunteers, this includes training in food hygiene, allergy awareness, and manual handling (where relevant).
All volunteers can claim expenses relevant to their role (e.g. travel expenses).”
Find out more
You may like to chat with a member of staff about whether this is the right role for you, or you may be ready to apply right now.
Either way, just click the ‘I’m interested’ button below to leave your contact details, and a member of staff will be in touch to discuss your next steps in becoming a Family Action volunteer.
I'm interested
