Our food hubs support children, young people and families to access essential food during challenging times. Food hubs are held in different community venues and used and a range of individuals and families. Any children visiting the service are accompanied by their parents/carers at all times. Our lead volunteers support a team of volunteers within a food hub. This might include managing rotas, leading team meetings, as well as providing ongoing information, guidance and support to volunteers and customers on a day-to-day basis. The **Helping Hands Pantry** launched in October 2024 and is a community initiative in Hurlford, Kilmarnock. It aims to provide affordable, quality food to families in the community. We’re open upstairs at St Paul’s Church Hall every Thursday from 12-3pm and are looking for volunteers to help run the pantry. Volunteers support members to decide what food they need for the week ahead, use the tablets to place their order, help members with accessibility needs via the doorbell system, help take shopping to members’ vehicles, etc. In addition, our lead volunteers take on a little more responsibility by helping with rotas and admin, stock ordering and rotation and much more.
Food banks and community food hubs have become commonplace across the country. Could you help support a team of volunteers within a food hub?
Tasks: Co-ordinating volunteer rotas, to ensure the food hub can run successfully at all times.
Completing food safety and procedural paperwork, to ensure the food hub is following food and shop safety principles.
Co-ordinating the team of volunteers so that shelves are kept well stocked and well-presented.
Meeting and greeting customers, checking payments and assisting with their shopping.
Helping to resolve operational challenges, such customer complaints and logistics issues.
Where customers share details about their circumstances which they need additional support with, signpost them onto other specialist services where their needs can be best met.
Organising and leading food hub team meetings.
Collating volunteer feedback and making recommendations for improvement.
Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures.
Participating fully in training and supervision.
Volunteering within Barnardo's Values and Behaviours
Skills: Friendly and helpful
Great communication skills
Good customer service skills
Well-organised.
Non-judgemental and welcoming to all sectors of the community.
Previous retail or stockroom experience would be desirable, although not essential.
Ability to problem solve.
A full driving licence with appropriate insurance (if you wish to drive as part of this role).
Benefits: Full induction and training.
Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
Regular supervision and support.
Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.
Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.
Disclaimer: We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the above, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on
[email protected] or call us on 0208 498 7320
