Volunteer Assistant 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 and Kitchen Assistant. A number of Volunteer Kitchen Assistants 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

• Help with preparing and serving nutritious meals from donated items as well as with purposely bought produce.

• When a cook is unavailable to safely warm up ready meals as required.

• To understand allergens, the diversity of dietary needs and cultural preferences and to manage the requirements of Service Users accordingly.

• To help set and clear tables, fill and empty the dish washer, wash up and tidy away.

• To assist in keeping kitchen appliances and food storage areas clean

• Help to maintain a healthy and hygienic kitchen environment, complying with good health and safety practice.

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

• Assist the cooks with food stock rotation and storage.

Full Role Description: https://thehopehub.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Assistant-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.