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Kitchen Helper Volunteer

Kitchen Helper Volunteer Role Description

Purpose of the role:  To assist with chef/staff member who is preparing food for the Day Service Clients or Lunch Club Clients.

Our services offer a home cooked lunch, including a vegetarian option, for all those who attend. This volunteer role will carry out food preparation and cooking tasks, as well as clearing up and dishwashing where needed, under the direction of the chef. There may also be some assisting with serving food, and chatting to clients attending the services and making all feel welcome at Age UK Barnet.

What an activity volunteer might do:

  • To assist with food preparation, such as vegetable preparation.

  • To undertake cooking tasks as directed by the chef.

  • To help with washing up and keeping the kitchen clean.

  • To assist with general cleaning in the kitchen area.

  • Help to set up the tables and room in preparation for participants eating.

  • To be aware of any clients who have specific dietary needs or allergies and ensure these are dealt with carefully.

  • Help serve meals and drinks to participants, and clear away dirty plates etc

  • Assist with stacking the dishwasher and keeping the kitchen clean and tidy

  • Chat to clients individually and in groups, ensuring all feel welcome.

 

Personal qualities most suited to this role:

  • Friendly and approachable

  • Ability to work as part of a team

  • An interest in cooking and catering

  • An interest in helping with activities for older people

  • Patience, empathy with issues affecting older people and good listening skills

  • Chatty, a good conversation starter

  • An awareness of dementia and understanding of the needs and behaviours of people living with dementia

  • Reliable, trustworthy and non judgemental

  • Flexible and willing to get stuck in with what’s needed

  • Ability to show initiative

We ask volunteers undertaking this role to complete a Food Hygiene certificate – level 2 which is paid for by Age UK Barnet.

You may be invited to participate in regular meetings, supervisions, and occasional training.

What you can expect from us: Age UK Barnet will cover agreed out of pocket expenses for volunteers (e.g. travel costs). We will also insure you for personal and public liability for the time you are volunteering with us providing what you do is risk assessed and agreed. We are happy to provide references for our volunteers.

We accept volunteers from all backgrounds and welcome applications from those with disabilities or health conditions.

Responsible to: Activities Manager/ Activities Coordinator

Location: Age UK Barnet, Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane, East Finchley N2 8LT

Please contact Lisa Robbins, Volunteering Manager on 020 8432 1422 or email lisa.robbins@ageukbarnet.org.uk to discuss the role before sending your application.

Click here for application form