Open Door work with other local charities and services to assist people at risk of homelessness. In 1993 we opened the St Albans night shelter, and led the development of the Open Door accommodation ...
Summer volunteering opportunities. Flexible shifts
Practical details
Volunteering • Short term role
Contact person
Sarah Chambers
Provided
#123131
Scan me or visit www.govolherts.org.uk/o/Open-Door-St-Albans/opportunities/Summer-volunteering-opportunities-Flexible-shifts/123131 to join
Temporary volunteer shifts supporting the homeless at the Open Door Charity during the summer.
St Albans Homelessness Charity seeking dedicated volunteers to prepare lunch at the Open Door night shelter over the Summer.
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.
We are interested in volunteers who can support us for a short time over the summer, covering shifts when our permanent volunteers are away. This is ideal for a school leaver or a university student. However, you must be over 18.
The shifts vary from week to week, but we have vacancies on most days. You will be supporting another volunteer at the Drop In service.
Drop In Kitchen Assistant Volunteer Role
1.45pm - 4.00pm
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.
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
Related to
About Open Door St Albans
Open Door work with other local charities and services to assist people at risk of homelessness. In 1993 we opened the St Albans night shelter, and led the development of the Open Door accommodation and Drop-In Centre in Bricket Road. We continue to make grants to improve the facilities. 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.
See more opportunities by Open Door St Albans