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- Tasks: Assist in kitchen operations, maintain cleanliness, and ensure hygiene standards.
- Company: Join Friends of the Elderly, a charity with over 120 years of caring for older people.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension plans, wellbeing support, and retail discounts.
- Other info: Work in a state-of-the-art facility with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of older people while working in a vibrant community.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; training provided, but food handling knowledge is a plus.
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Work Pattern: Working on a rolling rota of 3 consecutive days on and 3 consecutive days off.
Hours: 31.5 hours a week (average) 9 hours shifts 9am to 6pm
Friends of the Elderly (FotE) is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to providing excellent care with a family feel, we have been supporting older people for over 120 years. The charity provides care home and day care services for older people, as well as grants for older people in financial difficulty.
About Friends Place, Calcot: Due to open in July 2025, Friends Place, Calcot will be more than just a care home - it will be a vibrant, welcoming community designed to provide exceptional residential, dementia, and respite care. Run by Friends of the Elderly, where we pride ourselves on delivering personalised, compassionate care in a state-of-the-art facility. Located in the heart of Calcot, Reading, our home will feature:
- A cinema for residents to enjoy movie nights and entertainment.
- A stylish salon offering professional pampering.
- A peaceful library for reading and reflection.
- A vibrant bar for socialising and relaxation.
The modern facilities are designed to create a warm and homely environment where residents feel safe, valued, and supported.
We are recruiting for a Kitchen Assistant to join the team. Joining us as a Kitchen Assistant you will be working as part of a dedicated team to perform essential tasks to support the smooth operation of the kitchen services, meeting hygiene standards and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. Some of your responsibilities will include assisting with unloading deliveries, all aspects of daily kitchen cleaning duties, ensuring kitchen equipment is properly stored and maintaining excellent customer care at all times. You will also be responsible for understanding and adhering to health and safety, COSHH and fire regulations and procedures.
We are looking for an excellent team player with the ability to organise and be methodical with tasks. You'll be able to work responsibly and recognise and report situations where there might be a need for safeguarding. A food handling course or qualification and/or experience in catering services would be beneficial however this is not essential as we will provide full training.
This isn’t just a job; it’s about making a difference to older people’s lives every day.
Why Join Friends of the Elderly?
- Heritage of Care: Work with a trusted organisation backed by over a century of expertise.
- Non-Profit Mission: Be part of a charity that prioritises people, not profit.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Lead a cutting-edge care home designed for comfort and community.
- Professional Development: Access training and career development opportunities.
Make Your Mark: This is a unique opportunity to shape the culture and success of a brand-new care home, leaving a lasting impact on residents’ lives and the community.
In return for your hard work and dedication, you can look forward to a wealth of benefits:
- Group Pension Plan, with a 6% contribution from us.
- Generous annual leave.
- Wellbeing support through various initiatives, including an employee assistance programme.
- Learning, development, and progression opportunities.
- Monthly prize draw, with 3 prizes to be won.
- Retail discount schemes to make your salary go further.
- Access to loans at affordable rates, saving directly from salary and advance pay already earned.
- Health cash plans for you and your family.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Long service awards that increase with length of service.
- Refer a friend to work for us and receive a £200 bonus.
- Uniforms are provided.
- Free DBS checks.
Safeguarding: Keeping everyone safe is one of the charity’s core values, and is central to everything we do at Friends of the Elderly. All staff follow our Safeguarding Policy & Procedures and, if they see or suspect abuse, we expect staff to report it straight away.
Criminal record checks: As this role involves a regulated activity, successful applicants will undertake an enhanced DBS check, with barred lists check, and any offer of employment will be dependent on a satisfactory outcome. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar a person from working for us, this will depend on the circumstances and background of any record.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Friends of the Elderly strives to treat all staff equally and be a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone can be themselves and everyone accepts each other’s differences. Our ambition is to ensure equality and celebrate diversity, all working together to create an inclusive workplace, which attracts and retains the best people. People that care and can make a difference.
We currently do not provide sponsorship but we welcome applications from those who have a right to work in the UK. Don’t delay in sending your application as we may need to close the vacancy early if we manage to appoint before the advertising closing date. We interview applicants as they apply.
Contact Detail:
Fote Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of Friends of the Elderly. Understanding their commitment to providing compassionate care will help you align your responses during any interviews or discussions, showcasing your genuine interest in their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience in kitchen environments, even if it's informal. Mentioning your ability to work as part of a team and your understanding of hygiene standards can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios related to safeguarding and health and safety in the kitchen. This shows that you are proactive and responsible, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider reaching out to current or former employees of Friends of the Elderly on professional networking sites. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, helping you tailor your approach when applying.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Kitchen Assistant position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the role.
Craft a Personal Statement: Write a personal statement that reflects your passion for working in a care environment. Emphasise your commitment to providing excellent customer care and your ability to work as part of a team.
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you have any experience in catering or food handling, make sure to include it in your CV. Even if you don't have formal qualifications, mention any relevant skills or experiences that demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks required.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, proofread it for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application shows attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial in a care setting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fote
✨Understand the Organisation's Values
Before your interview, take some time to research Friends of the Elderly and their mission. Understanding their commitment to providing compassionate care will help you align your answers with their values during the interview.
✨Showcase Teamwork Skills
As a Kitchen Assistant, you'll be part of a dedicated team. Be prepared to discuss examples from your past experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team, highlighting your ability to collaborate and support others.
✨Emphasise Hygiene and Safety Knowledge
Since maintaining hygiene standards is crucial in a kitchen environment, be ready to talk about any relevant experience or knowledge you have regarding health and safety regulations, including COSHH and fire safety procedures.
✨Express Your Passion for Making a Difference
This role is about more than just cooking; it's about improving the lives of older people. Share your motivation for wanting to work in this field and how you believe you can contribute positively to the residents' experience.