Volunteering Opportunity: Drop-In Volunteers with Open Door St Albans

We are grateful for the support of the St Albans community, which enables us to assist the most vulnerable individuals facing or at risk of homelessness. Your generosity helps us provide safe spaces for those in need, allowing them to rebuild their lives with dignity. Community involvement through volunteering, fundraising, or donations is essential to our mission. Together, we can provide more than just shelter; we can create support pathways to more positive futures. Your support is instrumental in changing lives, one step at a time.


The role of a drop-in kitchen assistant is vital at Open Door. The Drop-In operates from Monday to Friday, providing lunch and support for night shelter residents and anyone facing homelessness.

While the Drop-In is run and managed by a dedicated staff team, volunteers play a key role in supporting the staff by preparing and serving lunch to all guests that attend the Drop In. The number of daily guests can vary widely, from 5 up to 25 individuals, which means some days can be busier than others, so volunteers should be ready for any situation.

This role involves preparing and serving a light lunch to our guests. Working alongside another volunteer in the kitchen preparing sandwiches, soup or perhaps a pasta bake to serve to the guests and to clear away after the service.

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: St Albans

Location: Indoor

Time of day: Weekday Afternoons, Casual or Intermittent

Practical Considerations: Volunteers must be over 18, catering experience is advantageous but not necessary as training will be provided.
Individuals must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and be able to volunteer independently.

Volunteers will be standing for the duration of their shift and will need to be able to lift large saucepans and empty dishwashers etc.

Due to the vulnerability of our setting, volunteers must be able to follow instructions and guidance regarding boundaries and confidentiality.

Our volunteer systems and rota are online, volunteers will need an email address and basic IT skills to access our systems and to complete training.

Once full training is given, volunteers work in teams of two with limited input from the staff. Therefore, volunteers must be confident to work independently with limited supervision. Staff are always within the building if required.

Requirements (additional): References

Suitable for: 18 – 25 year olds, Aged 26 and over, University students, Older People

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Addiction & Substance Misuse, Crime Prevention & Community Safety, Crisis Support, Domestic Violence/Abuse, Food Poverty, Nutrition & Food Banks , Homelessness & Housing Support, Mental Health, Poverty Relief - Domestic, Prisons, Prisoners & Ex-Offenders, Refugees/Asylum seekers/Immigration, Social Activities, Unemployment & Worklessness, Victim Support, Voluntary & Community Action

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: No

Full Description:
Open Door needs your help to support people who are homeless and need help to rebuild their lives in the community. Open Door is only able to run smoothly because of the time and dedication of volunteers who help in many practical ways. Open Door ask for a commitment of weekly or fortnightly shifts for this role.

All Drop-In volunteers work in the kitchen, where their tasks may involve making sandwiches, warming soup, or preparing a pasta bake. They also ensure guests have access to both hot and cold drinks. It can sometimes feel like a "Ready, Steady, Cook" scenario, as volunteers creatively whip up delicious sandwich combinations from food donations, sometimes incorporating unique ingredients!

Volunteers are expected to arrive by 1:45 PM to prepare lunch and should be ready to serve when the Drop-In opens at 2:30 PM. Volunteers typically leave once all guests have finished their meals, around 3:30 PM. The atmosphere can be fast-paced, requiring volunteers to work efficiently to keep up with food orders and to be adaptable, accommodating any dietary requirements.

Due to the nature of our operations and the high demands during volunteer shifts, we are only able to accept volunteers who can work independently and manage tasks with minimal supervision. Volunteers supporting the night shelter must also demonstrate a clear understanding of professional boundaries and safeguarding principles when working with vulnerable adults.

Please note that our volunteer teams work independently and are not usually equipped to provide the additional support that may be required by individuals who are vulnerable or need close, ongoing guidance.