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- Tasks: Support The Pantry project by collecting food and assisting with community activities.
- Company: Join South London Mission, a community-focused organisation tackling food insecurity.
- Benefits: Enjoy free food and non-food items while making a difference.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience, improve mental health, and connect with your local community.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications needed; just a willingness to help and engage.
- Other info: Flexible hours available; minimum commitment of 3 months during school terms.
Hours: 9:30am - 1:30pm (Tuesday) and/or 9:30am - 10:30am or 9:30am - 12:30pm (Wednesday)
Closing Date: 22 July 2025
Benefits: Food and non-food items can be collected for free
Volunteering Location: South London Mission, Bermondsey Central Hall, 256 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3UJ
Volunteering Length: Minimum 3 months (during the school term dates)
Are you interested in supporting our ‘The Pantry’ project? The Pantry is a weekly food bank provision for people in need across Southwark. It comprises of food and drink items that are both ambient and fresh – these are collected from Morrisons (264 Walworth Road), Lidl (2 Massinger Street), and are also delivered by The Felix Project. Not only does this address food insecurity, but it encourages an improvement in mental health and wellbeing and provides opportunity for people to connect more with their local community.
THE PANTRY VOLUNTEERING SCHEDULE
- NON-FOOD ITEMS COLLECTION – FELIX MULTIBANK DEPOT (4 HOURS) 9:30AM – 1:00PM
- FOOD COLLECTION – LIDL (1 HOUR) 9:30AM – 10:30AM
- THE PANTRY ACTIVITIES* (3 HOURS) 9:30AM – 12:30PM
- FOOD COLLECTION – LIDL AND THE PANTRY ACTIVITIES (3 HOURS) 9:30AM – 12:30PM
You will volunteer on a Tuesday for the Non-Food Items Collection (once a month), and/or weekly on a Wednesday – this will be either for the Food Collection, *The Pantry Activities, or for the Food Collection and The Pantry Activities. Regarding the latter, you will collect the food first and then assume with The Pantry Activities upon your arrival. You can collect at an earlier time (8am onwards), but this would need to be discussed. Your specific volunteering responsibility will depend on your preference and availability.
Please note – your volunteering hours may be shortened, lengthened, or reallocated, depending on the needs of the project. To deliver this project, you will work closely with the Projects Coordinator, Food Projects Coordinator, as well as other SLM Staff and Volunteers.
*The Pantry Activities will also involve setting up the Over 55’s Exercise Class, which starts at 1:15pm. More details can be found under the ‘main duties of volunteer role’ section.
Main Duties
- Setting up the room, hall & kitchen with tables, chairs, food (ambient and fresh), and other necessary items (Set Up & Stock Assistant)
- Welcoming guests in and directing them to sign in and collect their number (Maître d’hôtel)
- Preparing light refreshments for the guests (such as teas, coffees and biscuits) (Refreshments Host)
- Guiding guests around the room to collect their food items (Pantry Host)
- Packing food items for the elderly not in attendance
- Assisting with any necessary data collection, such as distributing forms
- Selling various non-food items to raise money for the SLM
- Translating for guests when necessary (including Spanish, Arabic, Turkish and Farsi)
- Cleaning up the room, hall & kitchen, ensuring that tables, chairs, food and other necessary items are put away
- Collecting non-food items from the Felix Multibank depot in Greenford, monthly & packing away (only if you are interested, are able, and are assigned, this responsibility) (Items collector)
- Collecting food items from the Lidl in Walworth, weekly (only if you are interested, are able, and are assigned, this responsibility) (Food Collector)
- Setting up for the Over 55’s Exercise Class, which includes putting out chairs, logging into the online Zoom class, and directing guests to sign in. If time permits, setting up will also involve distributing data collection forms
Please note – this is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. You will be required to undertake any other work that is in line with your abilities and with delivering this project.
What will the volunteering role offer the student and what will they learn while they are with you?
- Skills you can learn or develop: Written and verbal communication skills, Organisational skills, Ability to be flexible or adaptable
- Experience you can gain: Community engagement experience, Experience supporting a food-focused project / programme
Contact Detail:
UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land The Pantry Volunteer
✨Tip Number 1
Get familiar with the South London Mission and its community initiatives. Understanding their mission and values will help you connect better with the team and demonstrate your genuine interest in supporting 'The Pantry' project.
✨Tip Number 2
Consider volunteering for a few hours before applying. This hands-on experience will not only give you insight into the role but also allow you to meet the Projects Coordinator and other volunteers, making it easier to establish rapport during the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your availability and flexibility during the interview. Since the role requires commitment on specific days, showing that you can adapt to the needs of the project will make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight any relevant skills or experiences you have that align with the responsibilities listed in the job description. Whether it's previous volunteering, community engagement, or language skills, showcasing these will strengthen your application.
We think you need these skills to ace The Pantry Volunteer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read through the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of The Pantry Volunteer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these duties.
Craft a Personal Statement: Write a personal statement that reflects your passion for community service and food security. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your commitment to helping others, especially in a volunteer capacity.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise skills that are particularly relevant to the role, such as communication, organisation, and adaptability. Mention any experience you have in similar volunteer roles or community projects.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, make sure to proofread it for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application shows attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of The Pantry Volunteer. Familiarise yourself with the tasks involved, such as food collection and setting up activities, so you can discuss how your skills align with these duties.
✨Show Your Passion for Community Work
During the interview, express your enthusiasm for supporting community initiatives like The Pantry project. Share any previous volunteer experiences or relevant skills that demonstrate your commitment to helping those in need.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer about the role and the organisation. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand more about the team dynamics and expectations.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since the role may involve varying responsibilities and hours, emphasise your ability to be flexible and adaptable. Share examples from past experiences where you successfully adjusted to changing situations or took on new tasks.
