At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve delicious food and drinks while creating a welcoming atmosphere for the community.
- Company: Join a caring hospice team dedicated to making a difference in North Berwick.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, complimentary drinks, and travel expense claims while volunteering.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available; perfect for students looking to give back.
- Why this job: Make new friends, gain experience, and contribute to a meaningful cause.
- Qualifications: Friendly attitude, good communication skills, and a willingness to learn.
The purpose of this role is to provide a café service for the local community and visitors to North Berwick. The café sits within our secondhand bookshop, art gallery and new gift shop on Westgate in the centre of North Berwick. Our aim is to provide a welcoming, friendly, attractive space for people to meet together with friends and family or just come in for a quiet coffee on their own. We aim to maintain a high level of professional service and cleanliness.
Our Hospice Values are: Care and Compassion, Respect, Trust and Partnership. We aim to demonstrate these values in the way we operate our café and shop in North Berwick.
What will I be doing / involved in?
- Providing a friendly, helpful and professional service to customers
- Taking orders, serving food, clearing tables, washing up
- Preparing and serving hot food (e.g. paninis, toasties, etc.)
- Using the till system and handling cash
- Maintaining excellent levels of hygiene in the preparation, serving and seating areas of the café, following food hygiene standards
- Being aware of food allergens and intolerances and knowing which of our products these apply to
- Taking part in any relevant training as requested by the café manager, including Food Hygiene Training and Allergens Training
- Communicating with customers and co‑workers to improve the service and solve problems
What experience or skills do I need?
- Friendly with excellent customer service and communication skills
- Able to establish good working relationships and work well within a team
- Numerate (able to operate till and handle cash transactions)
- Able to prioritise when the café is busy
- Willingness to undertake training in the operation of equipment within the café
- Willingness to abide by food hygiene standards and allergen training
- Good personal hygiene practices
- Some experience of volunteering or working in a café would be an advantage, but full training will be given
- Willing to keep informed and stay updated about the work of St Columba’s Hospice and the services that we offer, so that this can be communicated to customers
Time commitment and duration
We are looking for volunteers able to commit to weekly or fortnightly shifts of 3–4 hours a day.
Where will I be based?
39‑41 Westgate, North Berwick.
Who will be supporting me?
- Café Manager and other members of staff
- Volunteer Services team
Recruitment checks
- Interview with Volunteer Services Manager and Café Manager
- Application form
- Two references
- Volunteers must be 14 years or over
Training
- Volunteer Induction programme
- Café Induction Programme (including 1:1 induction with café manager and work shadowing with experienced volunteer)
- Team meetings (as necessary)
- Ad‑hoc volunteer training/support programme
Additional information
Volunteers may claim reasonable travelling expenses for transport to and from the café. Please speak to your manager about this. The café provides complimentary tea and coffee to all volunteers whilst you are on shift. If you volunteer for a full day at the café, you can claim a free meal from the café. Please speak to your manager about this.
You can apply online here. Alternatively, please email us at volunteer@stcolumbashospice.org.uk to request a paper application form, or to ask us any questions about the role.
North Berwick Cafe Volunteer employer: St Columba's Hospice
St Columba’s Hospice offers a rewarding volunteer experience in the heart of North Berwick, where you can contribute to a welcoming café environment that serves both the local community and visitors. With a strong emphasis on care, compassion, and teamwork, volunteers receive comprehensive training, support from dedicated staff, and the opportunity to develop valuable skills while enjoying complimentary refreshments during shifts. Join us in creating a friendly space for connection and support, all while making a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land North Berwick Cafe Volunteer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the café vibe! Before your interview, pop in for a coffee and chat with the staff. This will help you understand the atmosphere and show your genuine interest in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your customer service skills! Think about how you can demonstrate care and compassion in your interactions. Be ready to share examples of how you've made someone's day better in previous roles or experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be working closely with customers and co-workers, think about how you can effectively communicate and solve problems. Role-play with a friend to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s super easy and ensures your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows you're tech-savvy and keen to join our community at St Columba’s Hospice.
We think you need these skills to ace North Berwick Cafe Volunteer
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 providing great service.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Even if you haven’t worked in a café before, think about any customer service experience you have. Whether it’s volunteering or part-time jobs, share those stories that demonstrate your friendly and helpful nature.
Show Your Commitment:We’re looking for volunteers who can commit to regular shifts, so make sure to mention your availability clearly. This helps us understand how you can fit into our café team and serve the community effectively.
Apply Online:The easiest way to apply is through our website! It’s quick and straightforward, and you’ll get all the information you need right there. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our online system!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Columba's Hospice
✨Know the Café's Values
Before your interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with the hospice's values: Care and Compassion, Respect, Trust, and Partnership. Think about how you can demonstrate these values in your responses and share examples from your past experiences that align with them.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role is all about providing a friendly and professional service, be ready to discuss your customer service experience. Prepare specific examples of how you've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond for customers in previous roles or volunteer positions.
✨Be Prepared for Practical Questions
Expect questions related to food hygiene and allergens, as these are crucial in a café setting. Brush up on basic food safety practices and be ready to explain how you would handle situations involving food allergies or maintaining cleanliness in the café.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of your interview, don’t forget to ask questions! This shows your interest in the role and the café. You might ask about the training process, what a typical shift looks like, or how the team collaborates to create a welcoming environment for customers.
