Become a school volunteer
Passionate about making a difference to children and families?
As a volunteer at a school* you will have the chance to be part of a cooking or hosting team that produce a hearty two-course vegetarian meal using surplus food for children and their families to enjoy!
Without the amazing work of our thousands of volunteers across the country, FoodCycle simply wouldn’t be possible.
*Our school volunteer role is currently only available in London and Birmingham.
Responsibilities
Depending on the role you choose, your responsibilities will vary:
As a Cooking Volunteer, you’ll be at the heart of meal preparation. You’ll start by receiving surplus food and collaborating with your team to decide on the menu. With ingredients often being a surprise, you’ll need to get creative with recipe ideas to whip up delicious, nutritionally balanced meals for a large group.
If you opt to be a Hosting Volunteer, your focus will be on making everyone feel welcome. You’ll set up the dining hall, ensuring it’s a warm and inviting space. Your tasks will include making teas and coffees, serving meals to families, and running front-of-house, making sure children and families enjoy their time and want to return week after week.
No matter which role you choose, the session will wrap up with everyone pitching in to do the dishes and clean up the space, ready for the school the next day. You don’t need to have any previous experience – you just need to get stuck in!
FAQS
Where are your school volunteering opportunities?
Our school projects launched in London and currently run at Ark Globe Academy (SE1) and Ark John Archer Academy (SW11). We hope to open more school community meals as soon as we can. Any updates about new openings will be shared on this page or you can sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know.
What training will I receive?
As a FoodCycle volunteer you will receive basic training in Food Safety, Health & Safety, and Safeguarding when you register. After registering, you will have access to a variety of free online resources and training via the FoodCycle volunteer portal, including mental health awareness and guides for serving nutritious meals and talking to guests.
How often do I need to volunteer?
What experience do I need?
Can I claim travel expenses?
You can claim travel expenses, including mileage, in line with our volunteer policy.
How old do I need to be to volunteer?
Can I volunteer if I have a disability?
Visit our equal opportunities page to find out more about volunteering with a disability.
How do I become a volunteer?
Signing up to be a FoodCycle volunteer is really easy, just complete our online form.
Equal Opportunities
At FoodCycle we are a diverse organisation and welcome volunteers and guests from all backgrounds and walks of life. Visit our equal opportunities page to find out about volunteering with a disability.
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