At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in running a vibrant community café, from cooking to serving customers.
- Company: Join Midland Mencap, a charity dedicated to improving lives for those with learning disabilities.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, training opportunities, and meet new friends while making a difference.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team and positively impact the community every day.
- Qualifications: Basic cooking skills and a friendly attitude; training provided for food hygiene.
- Other info: Flexible volunteering hours available; must be willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check.
Who are Midland Mencap?
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.
Purpose of the role?
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 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?
As one of our valued volunteers, Midland Mencap will offer you:
- 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 volunteering@midlandmencap.org.uk.
For more information or an informal chat, call 0121 442 2944 and speak to someone about how volunteering could work for you.
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Community Café Volunteer employer: Midland Mencap
Contact Detail:
Midland Mencap Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Café Volunteer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Midland Mencap's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to inclusivity and support for individuals with learning disabilities will help you connect with the team and demonstrate your genuine interest in their work during any conversations.
✨Tip Number 2
Visit the Happy Bean Café if possible before applying. This will give you a feel for the environment and allow you to engage with current volunteers and staff, which can provide valuable insights and help you build rapport when you apply.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your interpersonal skills during any discussions. Being approachable and friendly is key for this role, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully interacted with diverse groups in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Be proactive in expressing your willingness to learn. Mention any relevant experiences or training you’re open to, such as food hygiene certification, as this shows your commitment to contributing effectively to the café's operations.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Café Volunteer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand what Midland Mencap is looking for in a Community Café Volunteer. Highlight the key responsibilities and required skills, as this will help you tailor your application.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects relevant experience, especially any cooking or catering roles you've had. Emphasise your communication skills and ability to work in a team, as these are crucial for this position.
Write a Personal Statement: Craft a personal statement that showcases your enthusiasm for volunteering and your commitment to supporting individuals with learning disabilities. Share any personal experiences that relate to the role and explain why you want to be part of Midland Mencap.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you download the correct volunteering application form from the StudySmarter website. Complete it thoroughly and email it to the provided address, making sure to double-check for any errors before sending.
How to prepare for a job interview at Midland Mencap
✨Show Your Passion for Community Service
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping others, especially those with learning disabilities. Share any previous volunteering experiences that highlight your commitment to community service.
✨Demonstrate Your Kitchen Skills
Be prepared to discuss your cooking experience and any relevant skills you have. If you've worked in a kitchen before, mention specific tasks you've handled, such as food preparation or serving.
✨Emphasise Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves interacting with a diverse group of people, highlight your ability to communicate effectively. Share examples of how you've built rapport with customers or worked as part of a team.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Flexibility
The café operates on a set schedule, so be ready to talk about your availability. Mention your willingness to commit to at least once a week and your flexibility to help during events like the monthly disco.