Volunteer
There are lots of ways to get involved if you’re able to contribute some time. You can do as much volunteering as works for you. Please come and help us in our mission to share food across our community, and build a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow.
​Benefits of volunteering
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Give back to the community - one of the NHS’s 5 Ways to Wellbeing!
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Gain access to free workshops for volunteers and upskill on a range of topics (conflict resolution, mental health first aid, arts and crafts, and more)
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Join free social events for volunteers (such as picnics, walks, games nights, and celebration events)
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Gain a sense of community and meet the huge team of volunteers
Open Positions
We often recruit for specific positions within the Foodbank. This could be a lead role where you will have a particular responsibility for an area of the Foodbank or it could be a position that requires a special skill, such as social media management, book-keeping or copy writing. If you’re interested, please take a look at our current vacancies further down this page.
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Rota
Our main volunteer rota is for packing and serving when the Food Bank is open. Volunteers unpack items from storage, set up tables and make the hall ready for guests. They serve guests during opening hours, and at the end of the shift there’s some clearing up to do. Volunteers are responsible for booking their own shifts so please look out for the link to the rota after you join!
Drivers
We are always on the lookout for drivers who can help move food we have sourced for the Food Bank. Most are local deliveries which are arranged as and when supplies become available. Drivers stay in touch via a chat group with Drivers responding to requests if they’re able to take them on.
Food sourcing
Sourcing products for the Food Bank is essential, and our amazing Food Sourcing team are constantly on the case. They need help with ordering food, phone calls and developing contacts as well as pick-ups and deliveries.
Current Vacancies
Community Liaison Manager (Volunteer)
The Community Liaison Officer plays a crucial role in responding to enquiries from our key stakeholders, such as individual and corporate donors, community fundraisers, volunteers, and guests. By providing compassionate customer service, they help to raise awareness of the mission of the food bank, drive donations, and support those in need.
Hours
Approx. 3 hours a week: to be done around your own schedule and chosen hours. Includes a fortnightly 1-hour team Zoom meeting
Location
Remote
Role description
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Answering all social media messages and emails from the community, guests, donors, businesses, and volunteers, with enthusiasm and compassion
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Providing a positive experience for our potential guests by helping them to understand the processes at the food bank, or how they can access other support if they live outside our remit
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Responding to messages and emails in a timely, efficient, and professional manner
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Problem-solving – taking ownership of each query, liaising with coordinators from other teams when suitable to ensure these are resolved
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Supporting fellow members of the Communications Team
Person specification
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Experience in a customer service role
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Excellent written communication skills
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An understanding of the challenges that food bank users face, from food and fuel poverty to feelings of shame and embarrassment
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An understanding of GDPR, customer confidentiality, and handling sensitive information
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A passion for supporting the community and social equality
Benefits
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Flexible hours - fit around your own schedule!
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Work from the comfort of your own home
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Give back to the community - one of the NHS’ 5 Ways to Wellbeing!
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Gain access to free workshops for volunteers and upskill on a range of topics (conflict resolution, mental health first aid, arts and crafts, and more)
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Join free social events for volunteers (such as picnics, walks, games nights and celebration events)
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Gain a sense of community and meet the huge team of volunteers
Please contact volunteersupport@boundsgreenfoodbank.org for a discussion about this role
Trustee
Are you willing to give your time and expertise to support those in food poverty in N22 and surrounding areas?
Bounds Green Food Bank has been in existence since 2020, operating as an independent charity since September 2023. Our Board of five Trustees seek to recruit additional people to add to our team.
We are particularly interested in people who have skills in the areas of fundraising, communication, and organisational development – however, we also welcome applications from those with a genuine interest and the ability to contribute to our strategy and future direction.
Hours
1-3 hours a week, to fit around your schedule. Includes two-hour monthly meetings (online)
Location
Remote with occasional meetings in N22, London
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The role
As trustees, you must:
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always act in the best interests of the charity – you must not let your personal interests, views, or prejudices affect your conduct as a trustee
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act reasonably and responsibly in all matters relating to the charity – act with as much care as if you were dealing with your own affairs, taking advice if you need it
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only use the charity’s income and property for the purposes set out in its governing document
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make decisions in line with good practice and the rules set by the charity’s governing document
Person specification
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Understand and support the purpose of BGFB as a community-led organisation whose primary aim is to prevent/relieve poverty
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Either have lived experience, or understand the reasons for food poverty and why BGFB is an important asset to our community
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Can work collaboratively with others in a team, using their skills to make decisions in the best interests of BGFB, holding responsibility and accountability individually and jointly
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Can demonstrate awareness and understanding of the legal responsibilities of being a Trustee, and best practice in charity governance
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Must be able to obtain a DBS, be able to attend required training and meetings (usually twice per month), and have not been disqualified to stand as a Trustee/Director
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Experience required
We are particularly interested in people with expertise in fundraising and communication. However, we would also like to hear from anyone who has skills and experience they can use to help us achieve our strategic goals. The list below are possible areas but should not be considered as finite:
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Community organising
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Safeguarding/health and safety
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Food distribution
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Human resources/legal
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Experience and knowledge of volunteer-led organisations would be helpful, but is not essential
Please contact joannaburke05@gmail.com for a discussion about this role
Fundraising Lead (Volunteer)​
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Summary of role
We are looking for a volunteer Fundraising Lead to play a significant role in shaping a fundraising strategy, help raise awareness of Bounds Green Food Bank (BGFB), and generate income through events, projects, and fundraising activities.
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Location
Remote
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Hours
Approx. 4 hours per week (to be fitted around your own schedule)
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What does the role involve?
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Work with the Board of Trustees to agree a fundraising strategy, including setting annual fundraising targets
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Help to develop a fundraising team
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Identify income-generating opportunities and develop projects
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Build, develop, and maintain relationships to secure funding
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Provide guidance to other teams that support fundraising initiatives e.g. the Grant Writing Team, Events Team, and Communications Team
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Person specification
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Passionate about food insecurity and reducing social isolation
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Experience working in a fundraising role, including grants, trusts, and foundations
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Ability and willingness to work to financial targets
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and attention to detail
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Able to work flexibly and under pressure
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Ability to be creative and entrepreneurial in order to find new ways to raise funds
How to apply
Please contact volunteersupport@boundsgreenfoodbank.org for a discussion about this role
Events and Projects Volunteers
Do you want to make a difference in the local community in 2025? Do you have a few hours to spare weekly or monthly?
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to expand our small, friendly and committed team. Our team supports various projects that help families within the food bank community. Examples include regular collections and distribution to guests of homeware and pre-loved clothing (including school uniforms ahead of new summer term, and our annual winter coats collection). We also organise give-outs of gifts to children for Eid, Diwali and Christmas, as well as running stalls at markets and fairs. Our team also actively supports community engagement through fundraising at local events.
Hours
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Approx 3 hours a week average over the year - hours may vary week by week depending on your availability and needs of the projects
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Flexible - evenings, occasional weekends or weekdays if you are available
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Many of the projects run in July, October, November, and December
Location
Meetings are held in N22, give-outs are held at the food bank (St Michael’s Hall, 37 Bounds Green Rd, London N22 8HE).
The Events and Project Team
The team proactively runs and manages a calendar of planned projects and events designed to support families and guests with children. The projects are varied and team members may be involved in hands-on activities.
The role
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Working as a part of a small enthusiastic team to plan and organise projects through to completion
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Being “hands on” in collecting and sorting pre-loved items ahead of give-outs
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Greeting and engaging with guests at give-outs and members of the public at community events
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Helping out at community fundraising events, including shaking a bucket, taking card payments, or assisting with our famous tombola stall
Person specification
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Passionate about supporting the community
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Able to work flexibly
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Access to a car for occasional use with projects is desirable but not a requirement
Apply
Please contact us to find out more by emailing volunteersupport@boundsgreenfoodbank.org
Food Service Coordinator (Volunteer)​
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Summary of role
A key role at the food bank, you will run one shift a week alongside other Coordinators. You will work in close cooperation with volunteers and guests, ensuring that the food service is as smooth as possible, and dealing with any incidents that may arise.
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Location
Saint Michaels Church Hall, 37 Bounds Green Rd, London, N22 8SD
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Hours
Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9am to 1pm or 12.30pm to 5pm. Plus a fortnightly meeting (2 hours)
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What does the role involve?
1. Managing Food Service Volunteers
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Manage the Section Leads and Food Service Volunteers, allocating tasks according to each volunteer’s experience and ability
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Make sure volunteers are aware of and follow food bank policies and procedures (e.g. the Kitchen Policy and using the food bank themselves)
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Ensure volunteers follow all health and safety precautions, including checking all items are in-date
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Ensure all volunteers sign the register
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Support volunteers, ensure they take breaks, help them deal with any difficult incidents, and ensure they alert you to any issues
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Be available to volunteers and responsive to their needs
2. Managing Guests
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Ensure that guests have completed the registration process and are referred to the Advice Team where eligibility to use the food bank has not been confirmed
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Treat all guests equally, welcoming them to the food bank and making sure they are respected and thought about
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Ensure the order of the queue is maintained
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Deal with any issues by speaking directly to the guest, asking them to follow the rules and helping them deal with any difficult incidents
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Ensure no alcohol or drugs are used at the food bank or in the queue
3. Completing Daily Duties
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Prepare for setting up from 9am and complete shift at 1pm (depending on shift time)
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Prepare to open the food bank to guests at 1pm and lock up at 5pm (depending on shift time)
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Receive deliveries: know what deliveries to anticipate and coordinate volunteers to direct the driver, unload their vehicle, and load crates in the hall
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Organise the decanting and repacking of items
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Keep an eye on stocks and make a note of shortages
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Complete additional tasks that may arise e.g. bagging food, getting rid of waste, and updating admin
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Ensure the hall is clean and organised before locking up
Person specification
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Has 6 months’ experience in a similar capacity
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Can organise and manage tasks efficiently
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Can keep calm under pressure
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Able to de-escalate difficult situations
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Be willing to attend training, e.g. safeguarding, first aid, and management skills
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Willing to do administrative work (e.g. taking minutes and reading the minutes of other meetings shared with the Food Service Team)
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Reliable, assertive, and tactful with both volunteers and guests
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Team player with good communication skills
How to apply
Email volunteersupport@boundsgreenfoodbank.org to register your interest and find our more about the role
Fundraising Volunteers​
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Summary of role
We are seeking enthusiastic and experienced fundraisers to work in a brand new team. An exciting opportunity to make a real difference in over 1,000 people’s lives. Help to raise vital funds through a range of fundraising initiatives including individual donations, community events, and grant applications.
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Location
Remote
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Hours
Approx. 3 hours per week (to be fitted around your own schedule)
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What does the role involve?
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Support fundraising initiatives including a communications campaign, individual donations, community fundraising events, and grant writing
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Build good relationships within the community and with actual and potential donors
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Provide guidance to other teams that support fundraising initiatives e.g. the Events and Projects Team, the Communications Team, and Grant Writing Team
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Person specification
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Experience working in a fundraising role
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Passion and commitment for the cause
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Excellent communication skills and ability to create and maintain relationships