Volunteer Login

Volunteer
Donate

Find a community meal

Find a meal

Become a cooking volunteer

Love cooking?

Looking for a fun way to make a difference in your community?

Without the amazing work of our thousands of volunteers across the country, FoodCycle simply wouldn’t be possible.

So much of our success is down to our incredible volunteers and whether you’re a Masterchef winner in the making or a cooking novice you can roll your sleeves up, and join the kitchen team producing a three-course vegetarian meal using surplus food.

You don’t need to have any previous cooking experience; you just need to get stuck in!

We’ll give you training and support, and you’ll be able to claim back your expenses, including mileage.

Become a Cooking Volunteer

Responsibilities

You’ll learn some great skills, like how to cater for large numbers and make nutritionally balanced meals, and because you won’t know what your ingredients are before each session, you’ll have a chance to get creative when coming up with every meal.

Download the full role description

FAQS

You’ll roll your sleeves up, sport a fetching hairnet and join the kitchen team to produce a three-course vegetarian meal using surplus food. You’ll be peeling, chopping, frying, mixing, boiling, serving and washing up. But most of all, you’ll have a lot of fun. You don’t need to have any previous cooking experience; you just need to get stuck in!
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.
We don’t look for minimum commitments, but we love it if you keep coming back! An average cooking slot is 4 hours. You can volunteer weekly, monthly or just when you have the time.
You don’t need any specific experience; we just want you to be enthusiastic about supporting your local community. We ask that you complete all the required training and follow all policies and procedures.
You can claim travel expenses, including mileage, in line with our volunteer policy.
All volunteers must be over the age of 18.

Visit our equal opportunities page to find out more about volunteering with a disability.

Signing up to be a FoodCycle volunteer is really easy, just complete our online form.

Love to help out?

Collect and deliver supplies of surplus food for our cooks.

Become a Food Collection Volunteer

Love to meet people?

Make our guests feel welcome and give them the best community dining experience.

Become a Hosting Volunteer

Love cooking?

Get creative, cooking healthy, nutritious three-course meals in our kitchens. 

Become a Cooking Volunteer

Love bringing smiles to children?

Play a vital role in ensuring children and families have access to nutritious meals.

Become a School Volunteer

Love fundraising?

Get creative and convince people to part with their cash to support our vital work!

Become a Fundraising Volunteer

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.

Find out more

Stay connected

Subscribe to get the latest news, volunteering opportunities, events and updates sent to your inbox each month. You can unsubscribe at any time.

See our privacy policy for more information on how we use your information.