VOLUNTEER PROJECT LEADER WITH FOOD CYCLE
Do you enjoy cooking and want to transform surplus food into a three-course meal for people who are hungry and lonely in your locality? Enjoy working with people, leading a team and problem solving? Why not volunteer with FoodCycle Lewisham? Maybe you’re newly retired, have free time now the children are at school or simply have a weekday to spare.
As a Project Leader in the kitchen, you’ll play a vital role in bringing people together over food. You’ll lead a small team of volunteers to prepare a healthy three-course meal using surplus food sourced from the Felix Project and local shops. Think Ready Steady Cook but for more people!
What you’ll do:
- Opening and setting up the kitchen, completing safety and hygiene checks before each session.
- Coordinating a team of up to 4 volunteers to plan, prep, and cook a three-course meal from rescued food supplies.
- Making sure the kitchen remains clean, organised, and that all food safety guidelines (outlined in our kitchen handbook) are followed.
- Welcoming and inducting new volunteers, providing an overview of the day’s plan, kitchen layout, safety information (e.g., fire exits, hand washing station, first aid kit).
- Encouraging input from the team to co-create a tasty, nutritious, and balanced menu.
- Completing a short weekly checklist and session report via our Project Leader portal.
- Staying in touch with other Project Leaders and attending online team meetings and friendly in-person events.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Comfortable in the kitchen – you don’t need to be a professional chef, just confident and organised
- Friendly, supportive, and a great communicator.
- Good at leading a team and managing time.
- Basic awareness of food hygiene and kitchen safety (training can be provided).
- Reliable and committed to showing up for your session each week.
- Passionate about food, reducing waste, and helping others.
Why you should volunteer?
- The chance to receive further training such as Emergency First Aid at Work
- Valuable experience leading a team and managing a kitchen environment.
- Training and support from an experienced coordination team
- Join a friendly and dedicated community network
Hours and timeframe: We are open Saturday and Wednesday lunchtimes from 1.30pm – 3.30pm
What you can expect from Lewisham Local
- to be reimbursed for reasonable travel costs
- provision of a reference if required.
- Lewisham Local card offering discounts at many businesses and venues across the borough.
If you would like to find out more, and register for volunteering, please follow this link: https://foodcycle.org.uk/volunteer-roles/
Also, if you have any questions before applying for a role, please contact FoodCycle Lewisham Project Coordinator: mel@lewishamlocal.com