Volunteering Opportunity: Friday Lunchtime Volunteer (fortnightly) with Open Door St Albans

St Albans Homelessness Charity seeking dedicated volunteers to prepare lunch at the Open Door night shelter.

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.

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: St Albans

Location: Indoor

Time of day: Weekday Afternoons

Practical Considerations: 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 and have a good level of spoken English.

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.

All volunteers must be over 18

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

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Health and Wellbeing, Homelessness & Housing Support, Voluntary & Community Action

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: No

Full Description:
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.

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 -4.00PM. 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.

Drop In Kitchen Assistant Volunteer Role

Friday (fortnightly) 1.45pm - 4.00pm