Community Café – Volunteer role in Birmingham
Community Café – Volunteer role

Community Café – Volunteer role in Birmingham

Birmingham Volunteer 500 - 1500 £ / month (est.) No home office possible
Midland Mencap

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Help run a vibrant community café, serving food and drinks while engaging with visitors.
  • Company: Join Midland Mencap, a charity dedicated to improving lives for those with learning disabilities.
  • Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training opportunities, and meet new people in a supportive environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your skills and confidence.
  • Qualifications: Basic cooking skills and a friendly attitude; no prior experience needed.
  • Other info: Flexible volunteering hours with the chance to attend fun events like disco nights.

The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 £ per month.

Midland Mencap is a charity which offers accessible and inclusive services and a better quality of life for everyone with experience of learning disabilities and additional needs. Volunteering with Midland Mencap is your opportunity to help us achieve our vision.

Our Happy Bean Café in Weoley Castle Community Centre is a thriving and busy café area where visitors, staff or our citizens and their carers can enjoy hot or cold food, a drink or just sit and chat with their friends. We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers who would like to assist us in the day to day running of the community café.

What would I be doing?

  • Help our regular community cook with general running of the café – Basic food preparation, cooking, serving drinks and meals, setting tables, clearing away, general tidying up, washing up etc.
  • Helping to run the till point
  • Successful volunteers may have the opportunity to occasionally run the kitchen in the absence of the cook if they are confident
  • Being a friendly face to people using our Community Café

What do I need?

  • Experience of regularly cooking a variety of meals
  • Some experience of group catering would be ideal but not essential
  • Basic kitchen skills and the ability to learn – we can provide food hygiene certificate training if needed
  • Ability to operate safely and independently in a kitchen environment
  • Basic IT skills to run the till point
  • Being approachable and friendly, building a rapport with customers
  • Good communication skills
  • Accepting of others who might be different to you and the ability to work as part of a diverse team
  • A willingness to learn and work within guidelines set out by Midland Mencap
  • Honesty, integrity and trustworthy
  • Good time management skills, reliability
  • An enhanced DBS check will be required by all successful applicants.

When and where do you need me?

Our community café is open Monday – Friday 8:30am – 2:30pm. We also host a monthly Friday night Disco and various events throughout the year. Choose the days that suit you. We are looking for volunteers to ideally attend at least once a week. Weoley Castle Community Centre, Bottetourt Rd, Birmingham B29 5TE.

What's in it for me?

  • The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and their family carers
  • An induction and settling in period
  • Any training and development that is needed
  • The chance to develop your skills and gain experience
  • The opportunity to meet new people and be part of a diverse team
  • Support within your role
  • Any out-of-pocket travel expenses
  • Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution

What to do if you're interested?

Download and complete the Volunteering application form here on our website, Email the completed application form to [contact email]. For more information or an informal chat, call and speak to someone about how volunteering could work for you.

Community Café – Volunteer role in Birmingham employer: Midland Mencap

Midland Mencap is an exceptional employer that offers volunteers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and their families. Located in the welcoming Weoley Castle Community Centre, our vibrant Happy Bean Café fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture where you can develop your skills, meet new people, and receive training tailored to your needs. Join us in creating a positive community atmosphere while enjoying the flexibility of volunteering at times that suit you.
Midland Mencap

Contact Detail:

Midland Mencap Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Community Café – Volunteer role in Birmingham

Tip Number 1

Get to know the café vibe! Before you apply, pop in for a coffee and chat with the staff and volunteers. This will help you understand the community spirit and show your genuine interest.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with the team, mention any cooking or customer service experience you have. It’s all about making that personal connection!

Tip Number 3

Be enthusiastic! When you apply through our website, let your passion for helping others shine through. A positive attitude can make all the difference in a volunteer role.

Tip Number 4

Follow up! After applying, don’t hesitate to reach out for a friendly chat. It shows you’re keen and ready to jump in, plus it gives you a chance to ask any questions you might have.

We think you need these skills to ace Community Café – Volunteer role in Birmingham

Basic Food Preparation
Cooking Skills
Serving Skills
Kitchen Safety
Basic IT Skills
Communication Skills
Teamwork
Time Management
Reliability
Approachability
Willingness to Learn
Customer Rapport Building
Honesty and Integrity

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for the role and your passion for helping others.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to read the job description carefully and highlight any relevant experience or skills you have. We love seeing how your background fits with what we’re looking for, so connect the dots for us!

Keep It Clear and Concise: While we appreciate detail, it’s important to keep your application clear and to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon – we want to understand your experience without having to decode it!

Check Your Work: Before hitting send, give your application a good proofread. Typos and errors can distract from your great qualifications, so take a moment to ensure everything is polished and professional.

How to prepare for a job interview at Midland Mencap

Know the Café Inside Out

Before your interview, take some time to learn about Midland Mencap and the Happy Bean Café. Familiarise yourself with their mission and the services they provide. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect with the interviewers.

Show Off Your Cooking Skills

Since the role involves food preparation and cooking, be ready to discuss your experience in the kitchen. Bring examples of meals you've cooked or any catering experiences you've had. If you can, mention how you handle different dietary needs or preferences.

Be Approachable and Friendly

The café is all about creating a welcoming atmosphere, so demonstrate your friendly nature during the interview. Practice your communication skills and think of ways to show that you can build rapport with customers and work well in a diverse team.

Ask Questions About the Role

Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. Inquire about the training provided, the team dynamics, or how volunteers can make a difference. This shows your enthusiasm and willingness to engage with the community.

Community Café – Volunteer role in Birmingham
Midland Mencap
Location: Birmingham

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>