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- Tasks: Support our community café by serving food, drinks, and providing excellent customer service.
- Company: Join Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity dedicated to mental health support.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop new skills, and make a positive impact in your community.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team and help create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
- Qualifications: A positive attitude, good communication skills, and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Full training provided; perfect for those looking to enhance their CV while helping others.
Inspiring, supportive, and committed - just a few of the words we’d use to describe our volunteers. At Rethink Mental Illness, volunteers are at the heart of what we do. They play a vital role in supporting our services and making a real difference in people’s lives. If you’re looking for a rewarding role where you can have a positive impact while developing your own skills and experience, we’d love you to join us.
About the role
Do you enjoy meeting people, working as part of a team, and creating a friendly, welcoming atmosphere? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to give at least 4 hours a week to help us run our community café in Leek. As a Volunteer Café Assistant, you’ll:
- Support café staff, volunteers, and trainees in the smooth day-to-day running of the café
- Prepare, present, and serve food and drinks to a high standard
- Operate the coffee machine (full training provided)
- Handle cash and card transactions using the till
- Maintain excellent hygiene and health & safety standards
- Provide friendly customer service to visitors and guests
- Help out at special events and activities held in the café
Full training and regular supervision will be provided, so you’ll feel confident and supported in your role.
About the service
John Hall Wellness Garden is a community education garden and café in Leek. It’s a safe and inclusive green space where local people, schools, colleges, and social enterprises can come together to learn, work, and socialise. We especially welcome and support people with mental or physical health needs, children, young people, and adults of all ages.
What will make you a great fit for this role?
- A cheerful, positive attitude
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- A willingness to learn new skills
- An interest in providing excellent customer service
It’s not essential, but you may also bring:
- Experience in food handling or preparation
- Basic food safety knowledge or HACCP (training will be provided)
- Previous experience in catering, hospitality, or customer service
How to apply
To apply, simply click the “apply now” button on the advert on our website and complete a short interest form.
Contact Marc Woodley (Volunteer Manager)
Who are we?
We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.” It is an exciting time to join our growing charity.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services.
We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
Volunteer Café Assistant employer: Rethink Mental Illness
Contact Detail:
Rethink Mental Illness Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Café Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the café and its mission! Before your interview, spend some time learning about Rethink Mental Illness and the John Hall Wellness Garden. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect with the team during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! As a Volunteer Café Assistant, you'll be interacting with visitors and guests. Try role-playing with friends or family to boost your confidence in providing friendly customer service.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your enthusiasm! When you apply through our website, let your passion for helping others shine through. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your cheerful attitude and willingness to learn.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after applying! A quick email to Marc Woodley, the Volunteer Manager, can demonstrate your eagerness and keep you on their radar. Just a simple note expressing your excitement about the opportunity can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Café Assistant
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.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Even if you haven’t worked in a café before, think about any customer service or teamwork experiences you’ve had. Share those stories in your application to show us how you can contribute to our friendly atmosphere.
Keep It Clear and Concise: Make sure your application is easy to read. Use clear language and keep your sentences short. This helps us understand your skills and motivations quickly, making it easier for us to see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to click that 'apply now' button on our website! It’s the easiest way to get your application to us, and we can’t wait to hear from you. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rethink Mental Illness
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
Make sure to express your passion for helping others and your excitement about the role. Rethink Mental Illness values a cheerful attitude, so let that shine through in your answers and body language.
✨Highlight Relevant Skills
Even if you don’t have direct experience in a café setting, think about your interpersonal skills and any customer service experience you might have. Be ready to share examples of how you've created a welcoming atmosphere or provided excellent service in the past.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions about the café and its community impact. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their mission of supporting mental health.
✨Demonstrate Willingness to Learn
Since full training will be provided, emphasise your eagerness to learn new skills, especially around food handling and customer service. Mention any previous experiences where you quickly adapted to new tasks or environments.
