Volunteer Kitchen Cook (SH)

Healthy nourishing meals are otherwise scarce for many of our Service Users and they are the basis for all further Crisis support care, hope and decision making. Service Users, volunteers and staff are all greatly motivated by the smell, warmth and gift of home cooking. It turns a bad day and an overly busy office into a Hopeful Hub.
We are seeking to extend our team of Volunteer Cooks to prepare meals and be responsible for Kitchen Assistant Volunteers. A number of cooks will be appointed to cover our opening hours and different locations. A team approach and flexible attitude is therefore needed.
The Hope Hub (THH) is a registered charity constituted by ecumenical members of Churches Together in Camberley and is a faith-based charity. It was formed in December 2017 in response to a defined need to serve those who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, in financial hardship, unemployed and/or suffering with mental health difficulties and/or addiction(s). We work in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council and all other local organisations. 

Key Tasks

• Cook nutritious meals from donated items as well as with purposely bought produce.

• Serve lunches as required and be prepared to store or freeze any surplus meals safely.

• Cook meals to cover two days or evenings where possible.

• Respect and cater for the diversity of dietary needs and cultural preferences.

• Understand allergens and manage the requirements of Service Users with allergies.

• Daily checks for freezer, fridge temperature, and recording in the relevant records.

• Manage freezer stock rotation and storage.

• Leave the kitchen clean, tidy and meeting health and safety requirements

Full Role Description: https://thehopehub.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Cook-Volunteer-Role-Description-01_02_2022.pdf 

What skills do I need?

Essential requirements – The Hope Hub team can help and support with the following:

• A DBS check is required when working directly with vulnerable Service Users.

• A Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate is beneficial when working with food. This can be undertaken remotely or with support, over one day or longer as you wish.