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- Tasks: Help residents plan, prepare, and cook healthy meals while building life skills.
- Company: Join Phoenix Futures Group, a charity with 50+ years in drug and alcohol treatment.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, on-site gym, continuous training, and a supportive community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives through cooking and community support.
- Qualifications: Compassion, good communication, and a willingness to learn are essential; experience is a plus.
- Other info: We welcome diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to enrich our community.
Volunteer Cook/Kitchen Lead
New Oakwood Lodge Residential Rehabilitation Service
Oakwood, Derby
Are you passionate about cooking and making a positive difference in people’s lives?
We are looking for a volunteer cook or kitchen lead to join our friendly and forward-thinking Enhanced Therapeutic Community Residential Service in Oakwood, Derby.
Our service supports people on their journey to recovery from substance use, offering a safe and supportive space for residential rehabilitation. As part of the role, you’ll help residents plan, prepare, and cook healthy, balanced meals—building confidence, life skills, and a sense of community along the way.
Whether you can give a few hours or a couple of days each week, your time and energy can have a real, lasting impact. We welcome enthusiastic, caring volunteers who share our passion for supporting individuals, families, and communities.
Ready to help change lives—one meal at a time? We’d love to hear from you!
Previous experience of a Therapeutic Community is desirable, however not essential. Workers come from many different backgrounds and experiences, and you may have the skills required. We are seeking a dedicated individual, based on your values, willingness to learn new skills and the compassion to deliver the best service possible to our residents.
Flexible volunteer hours are available, these can be agreed following a successful interview.
About You
You will need:
- Compassion and empathy for individuals working towards recovery
- Good communication skills
- The ability to be innovative and be flexible in order to meet the needs of the service.
- Experience of Therapeutic Communities is desirable but not essential
Your Rewards
- On site Gym, staff changing rooms and showers
- Car parking and electric car charging points
- Continuous training and career development via PXL our dedicated learning management system
- Opportunity to complete the Care Certificate, a robust induction to roles in health and social care developed by Skills for Care and Health Education England.
- Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance programme including telephone and online access.
About Us
Phoenix Futures Group is a charity with over 50 years’ experience and a leading provider of drug and alcohol treatment.
Our values are what define us and ensure we work to the highest standards. We believe in being the best, we are passionate about recovery, we value our history and use it to inform our future.
We work with local authorities, other charities, and service providers across the country to deliver innovative programmes and projects that change lives for the better, setting people on the path to health and emotional wellbeing. We provide a diverse range of services, our expertise in psychosocial treatment and support is the common thread that runs through everything we do. People need psychological interventions, social support, meaningful use of time, sense of purpose and a place of safety to sustain their recovery. At our core, we support people, families, and communities to recover from drug and alcohol dependency.
We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe it is important to include people with lived experience to ensure the needs of the people we support are represented. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is free to be themselves and we ensure equity of opportunity.
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Volunteer Cook/Kitchen Lead employer: Phoenix Futures
Contact Detail:
Phoenix Futures Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Cook/Kitchen Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Show your passion for cooking and helping others by sharing personal stories or experiences during your interview. This will demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of residents.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the principles of a Therapeutic Community. Even if you lack direct experience, understanding its values can help you connect better with the team and the residents.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss how you can adapt your cooking skills to cater to the diverse needs of residents. Highlight any experience you have with dietary restrictions or healthy meal planning.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your communication skills by engaging actively during the interview. Ask thoughtful questions about the role and the community, showing that you are genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Cook/Kitchen Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Volunteer Cook/Kitchen Lead position. Highlight your passion for cooking and how it aligns with supporting individuals in recovery.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects relevant experience, even if it's not directly related to cooking. Emphasise any volunteer work, community service, or skills that demonstrate your compassion, communication, and flexibility.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Share personal stories or experiences that illustrate your commitment to helping others and your ability to create a positive environment.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise skills that are particularly relevant to the role, such as meal planning, cooking healthy meals, and working in a team. Mention any experience you have in therapeutic settings, even if it's informal.
How to prepare for a job interview at Phoenix Futures
✨Show Your Passion for Cooking
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking and how it can positively impact the lives of others. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your love for food and community.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Compassion
Since the role involves working with individuals in recovery, it's crucial to convey your understanding and empathy towards their journeys. Be prepared to discuss how you would support residents emotionally and practically.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Innovation
Discuss your ability to adapt to different situations and needs within the kitchen. Provide examples of how you've been innovative in meal planning or preparation, especially in a communal setting.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Show your interest by preparing thoughtful questions about the volunteer position and the organisation. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and how they measure the impact of your contributions.
