Food Access Volunteer at Impact Initiatives

What does the opportunity involve doing?

We are looking for volunteers to shop and deliver food in the Brighton and Hove area to people in need and also to offer confidence building support to those ready to take this step.

• Do you have some free time to offer support to your local community?
• Do you have transport?
• Would you be able to help out with little notice in an emergency?

The volunteer opportunity will not be a regular weekly commitment but will be geared towards assisting those individuals in need who require a one-off urgent food shop.

As we move out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we will also want volunteers to accompany people shopping where they have not done so for a long time and need to build confidence to do so.

Hours per Week: Flexible

- Main Tasks

1. To complete application form, agree to some basic training and Enhanced DBS check.

2. To facilitate independence wherever possible.

3. To undertake emergency food shops as required.

4. To accompany service users to the shops as directed by the Food Access team.

5. To support and build confidence with each service user.

6. To follow the volunteer guidelines and report to the volunteer coordinator or food access support worker.

7. To maintain service user confidentiality, as detailed in the guidelines.

8. To work within Covid-safe guidelines.

9. To work within the Project and Organisational policies and procedures.

What induction, training and support is offered?

We will give full training and support to volunteers for the Food Access Support role.

What skills or qualities are needed?

- The work of a Food Access volunteer involves:

• Respecting each service user as an individual.
• Respecting the confidentiality of service users.
• Attending training events as necessary.
• Undertaking emergency shopping trips at short notice.
• Encouraging independence and enabling people to reach their full potential

- A Food Access Volunteer will be:

• Kind, understanding and respectful when supporting others within the community
• Have a general understanding of the complex needs of vulnerable people. For example, people with mobility issues or mental health conditions.
• Have the potential to deal effectively with challenging behaviour.
• Able to offer person centred support, which is tailored to a service user’s individual needs.
• Able to work with the guidance of the Food Access Support team.
• Willing to provide a flexible approach to support, given the unpredictable nature of the service.
• Committed to working in line with equality, diversity and equal opportunities policies.