At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a passionate team to build connections and create impactful community initiatives.
- Company: Grandma’s Soup, a social enterprise reducing loneliness through cooking and connection.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on leadership experience and make a real difference in people's lives.
- Other info: Voluntary role with reasonable expenses reimbursed; perfect for student entrepreneurs.
- Why this job: Shape your own chapter and connect generations while tackling food waste.
- Qualifications: Motivated, creative, and committed to social impact with strong communication skills.
Grandma’s Soup is a social enterprise with a simple but powerful mission: to reduce loneliness among older adults through cooking and connection. The initiative is inspired by the Dutch social enterprise Oma’s Soep. In the Netherlands, Oma’s Soep has grown rapidly with student‑led boards in 14 cities. They deliver weekly soup packages and run social initiatives that foster connection across generations. Surplus vegetables are used to create soups, reducing food waste while generating funds through sales in supermarkets and cafés to sustain and expand the social impact. We are now bringing this model to the UK, starting with London, and are looking for motivated student entrepreneurs to help build and shape our first UK chapter. This is a hands‑on leadership opportunity where you’ll help design, launch, and grow a social enterprise that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
Role
- As a Student Board Member, you will join a passionate team of students to:
- Build relationships with community centres, local partners, and volunteers
- Create content and marketing materials to share our story and impact
- Organise and coordinate cooking days with older adults and fellow students
- Support fundraising and partnership initiatives to sustain and grow the project
- Collaborate with the wider UK and Dutch Grandma’s Soup teams
- Help shape the vision and growth of Grandma’s Soup in the UK
Specific responsibilities will be defined once the team is chosen, including areas like marketing, partnerships, volunteer coordination, and events based on your strengths and interests.
You are
- Motivated with a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Creative, enthusiastic, and committed to social impact
- Excited to be part of building something from the start and making a real difference
- Shape your own chapter and bring ideas to life
- Hands‑on leadership and social enterprise experience
- Connect generations and make a tangible impact
Renumeration: Voluntary role; reasonable expenses reimbursed
Student Board Member (Oxford / London / Sheffield) employer: Grandma's Soup
Grandma’s Soup is an exceptional employer for those passionate about social impact, offering a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on leadership while fostering connections across generations. With a vibrant work culture that encourages creativity and collaboration, students will not only gain invaluable experience but also contribute to meaningful initiatives that reduce loneliness among older adults. Located in dynamic cities like Oxford, London, and Sheffield, this role provides a platform for personal growth and the chance to shape the future of a pioneering social enterprise.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Board Member (Oxford / London / Sheffield)
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace Student Board Member (Oxford / London / Sheffield)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like Grandma's Soup, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at Grandma's Soup.
How to prepare for a job interview at Grandma's Soup
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of Grandma's Soup and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
