Volunteer Role Descriptions
Leeds West foodbank is one project in many locations across west Leeds. Each part of the project and each role
within it makes up the foodbank, and no one role is more important than another. Therefore, inductions and
training for each role involves learning how the foodbank as a whole fits together.
We are a community project made up of local people giving their time to support other local people in need. We are
governed by a group of churches led by The Oak Church in Farsley, and are part of a network of foodbanks
nationally, facilitated by a Christian charity, the Trussell Trust. Leeds West foodbank is proud to be a project made
up of people from right across the local community and welcomes volunteer applications from people of all faiths, or
none. Only the prayer and pastoral volunteer roles require the volunteers to be Christians.
For all our roles we ask for a minimum 12 month commitment, and that you give us as much notice as you can if you
need to leave, or can’t make it in. We love and value all of our team, and hope that you will enjoy being a part of it.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Thank you.
Lucy Pitkin – Project Lead.
Apply – there is an application process for all volunteer roles, including a short application form and references. To
request an application pack or for more information please contact [email protected] or call 0113
2579227.
The foodbank currently requires the following volunteers:
Van Drivers
What - drive the Leeds West Foodbank van (VW transporter) to collect food from donators, and deliver food
parcels to the foodbank centres.
Where – based at the Leeds West Foodbank Food Store, Red Lane Mill, Farsley, but driving to locations across west
Leeds.
When – we need van drivers on Mons, Tues, Weds (and Thurs from June 2015), particularly Tues 10am – 3pm and
Weds 12pm – 4pm.
Who – someone reliable, with a full clean driving licence, ability to lift and carry boxes of food is a bonus but not
essential as other volunteers also go out on the van runs.
Food Store Volunteers
What - with support from the Food Store Coordinator, sort and weigh donated food, stock shelves, prepare food
parcels to be taken to the foodbank centres and other stock-control tasks as required.
Where – the Leeds West Foodbank Food Store, Red Lane Mill, Farsley.
When – a minimum of 2 x 2 hour sessions per month Mons, Tues, Weds (and Thurs from June 2015).
Who – someone reliable, able to lift and carry food tins/packets and bags of food, and record numbers.
Food Collection Point Organisers
What - with support from the Food Lead, organise and manage food collection points across west Leeds. This
involves asking local churches, businesses or schools to have a food collection for us and arranging for the food to be
collected or brought to us when the box is full, building a good relationship with the organisation and liaising with
the food store and admin team.
Where/when at the Foodbank office, Red Lane Mill, Farsley, ideally Mondays but the office is open Mon, Tues,
Weds (and Thurs from June 2015) so can be flexible.
Who – someone that is highly organised, reliable, good at motivating and mobilising others for a fantastic cause,
and happy working on their own initiative. Must be computer literate and comfortable speaking on the telephone.
Commitment – 2 – 6 hours per week (or more if you want to!)
Foodbank Centre (FBC) Volunteers
What - various roles at the foodbank distribution sessions, including greeting clients and making them a
drink/snack, making up food parcels.
Where/when – Tuesdays 10.30am – 1pm Lower Wortley FBC, Tuesdays 11.30am – 2pm Stanningley FBC,
Wednesdays 12.30pm – 3pm Bramley FBC, Fridays 4.30pm – 7pm Farsley FBC. Further Foodbank Centres are being
launched summer/autumn 2015.
Who – reliable, non-judgmental, friendly people with a heart for serving others in need.
Commitment – minimum 2 x 3 hour sessions per month. An initial 3 hour training session, usually on a Saturday
in Farsley, and further training as required.
Volunteer Signposters
What - greeting and listening to clients, signposting them to support services to help them out of their food crisis,
in other words, helping people to find help.
Where/when – Tuesdays 10.30am – 1pm Lower Wortley FBC, Tuesdays 11.30am – 2pm Stanningley FBC,
Wednesdays 12.30pm – 3pm Bramley FBC, Fridays 4.30pm – 7pm Farsley FBC. Further Foodbank Centres are being
launched summer/autumn 2015.
Who – reliable, non-judgmental, compassionate people who are good listeners, and comfortable meeting new
people. Experience in the social work/social care field, or advice work, may be helpful but not essential as training
given.
Commitment – minimum 2 sessions per month. An initial training day, usually on a Saturday 10am – 4pm, and
further training as required.
Pastoral and prayer volunteers
What - signposting clients to support services to help them out of their food crisis, listening to them and offering
prayer and pastoral support when appropriate as led by the client. Saying a short prayer with the FBC team before
each session. With direction from the Project Lead and Prayer Coordinator, pray regularly for issues that clients face,
and help to produce a regular prayer letter for local churches.
Where/when – Tuesdays 10.30am – 1pm Lower Wortley FBC, Tuesdays 11.30am – 2pm Stanningley FBC,
Wednesdays 12.30pm – 3pm Bramley FBC, Fridays 4.30pm – 7pm Farsley FBC. Further Foodbank Centres are being
launched summer/autumn 2015.
Who – A committed Christian and actively involved in a church (church reference required), non-judgemental,
approachable, good communicator, compassionate, good listener, comfortable meeting new people and
comfortable praying with others. Experience in the social work/social care field, or advice work, may be helpful but
not essential as training given
Commitment – minimum 2 sessions per month. An initial training day, usually on a Saturday 10am – 4pm, and
further training as required.
Prayer Coordinator
What - with support from the Project Lead, and Prayer Director, coordinate interested churches and Christians
across west Leeds to pray for the foodbank project, general food poverty issues and specific issues clients are facing,
including producing a regular prayer letter, and organising prayer gatherings. Support the FBC pastoral and prayer
volunteers.
Where/when - Mondays and/or Wednesdays at the Foodbank office at Red Lane Mill, Farsley. Some of the role
could also be carried out at home. Also, involves visiting the pastoral and prayer volunteers at the FBC.
Who – A committed Christian and actively involved in a church (church reference required), non-judgemental,
approachable, good communicator, compassionate, good listener, comfortable meeting new people and
comfortable praying for people, leading prayer. Computer literate, ability to use emails and Microsoft word.
Commitment – 2 – 6 hours per week (or more if you want to!) minimum 2 sessions per month. An initial training
day, usually on a Saturday 10am – 4pm, and further training as required.
Supermarket Collection Volunteers
What - helping at our supermarket food collection days. There are various different roles on the day to choose
from including handing out shopping lists to customers asking them to donate an item of food, sorting and packing
the donated food into boxes ready to be collected by our van, helping to load and unload the van, and helping to
unpack the food at the food store.
Where – Various local supermarkets in west Leeds or at the foodstore in Farsley.
When – Minimum 2 hour session at the supermarket or foodstore, between 9am and 5pm.
Who – reliable, non-judgmental, friendly people with a heart for serving others in need.
Commitment – volunteer at a minimum of 2 supermarket collection days per year.