Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Job description

Will you join us? We're looking for a Volunteer Champion…

Are you someone who thrives in a busy, diverse team of individuals working towards a common goal? Are you able to think quickly, delegate tasks and set priorities to keep things running smoothly. Do you feel passionate about community-led activism, and want to support and help our incredible volunteers create meaningful change. Come and join us as a Volunteer Champion!

We are looking for an approachable and proactive communicator who enjoys working with people, can recognise potential in others and is willing to “muck in” as part of a small, dynamic team where no two days are the same.

About us

REfUSE is an award-winning social enterprise based in Chester le Street, working towards a healthier, more sustainable food system. We intercept around 8 tonnes of food per month that would otherwise go to waste and turn it into healthy, accessible meals, served on a “Pay as You Feel” basis at our volunteer-run community cafe. With a community of over 150 volunteers, we run regular restaurant nights, sell Waste Not Box food hampers, and run education and engagement projects including our Eat Smart programme which engages primary school pupils in the causes of and solutions to food waste in their schools. We are raising awareness, inspiring, and empowering people towards community-led transformation of our food system in the North-East. Our vision is to reveal the true value of things, places and people that are unjustly wasted or overlooked.

About the role

REfUSE is powered by an incredible community of more than 150 volunteers. People volunteer with us for many different reasons and bring a wide range of skills, experiences and abilities.

Our volunteers run the kitchen, support the café front of house, sort rescued food, deliver workshops in schools, assist with external catering, help organise events, represent REfUSE in the community and contribute to shaping the direction of the organisation. 

Working closely with the Café Managers, Warehouse Manager, Chef and Food Champion, the Volunteer Champion will lead all operational aspects of our volunteer programme. This is a hands-on, people-focused role responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination of volunteering activity across the organisation.

The Volunteer Champion will ensure volunteers are well supported, valued and able to make a meaningful contribution while gaining positive experiences and opportunities for personal development. The role also involves identifying new volunteering opportunities, strengthening volunteer pathways and helping to build a positive and inclusive volunteering culture across REfUSE.

The Volunteer Champion will lead on the recruitment, induction and training of volunteers for both regular and one-off opportunities. Alongside our core volunteering programme, the postholder will work with the Volunteer Inclusion Lead to support the delivery of our Kitchen Confidence programme, which provides supported volunteering opportunities for young people and adults with additional support needs.

This is a fast-paced operational role requiring flexibility, strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities. We are looking for an approachable and proactive communicator who enjoys working with people, can recognise potential in others and is willing to “muck in” as part of a small, dynamic team where no two days are the same.

Job Specification:

We’re looking for a full-time engaging leader (5 days, Tuesdays to Saturdays) who will:

• Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of volunteering activity across REfUSE.

• Line manage relevant staff members including Café Managers and the Volunteer Inclusion Lead.

• Co-ordinate volunteer rotas to ensure appropriate daily volunteer cover across services.

• Work collaboratively with the wider REfUSE team to allocate volunteer tasks and responsibilities.

• Identify and develop new regular and one-off volunteering opportunities.

• Lead on the recruitment, onboarding, induction and training of volunteers.

• Manage volunteer communications and maintain accurate volunteer records.

• Ensure volunteers feel welcomed, supported, recognised and valued.

• Use co-productive approaches to review systems, processes and the volunteer experience.

• Participate in and chair operational meetings where required.

• Promote a positive organisational culture that reflects REfUSE’s values, vision and ways of working.

• Take an active safeguarding leadership role as part of the safeguarding team.

• Represent and promote REfUSE positively both internally and externally.

• Support wider operational activity and undertake additional duties where needed to support the organisation.

Person Specification

Essential: To be amazing you will have the following attributes & experience....

• Ability to coordinate a diverse group of staff and volunteers, helping to set targets, solve problems and delegate tasks to help the cafe run smoothly.

• Passion for grassroots environmental and social change, with a good understanding of sustainability and food-related issues.

• Strong organisational, administrative and time management skills.

• Ability to work flexibly and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Positive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to remain calm under pressure.

• Ability to build positive relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

• Understanding of inclusive approaches to volunteering and community engagement.

• Good IT skills, including confidence using email, spreadsheets and online communication platforms.

• A flexible, non-judgemental and collaborative approach to work.

• Willingness to work occasional evenings.

• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and professional boundaries.

Desirable: It would be great if you have...

• Experience working in the charity, community, hospitality or social enterprise sector.

• Experience supporting volunteers or participants with additional support needs.

• Knowledge of safeguarding practices and trauma-informed approaches.

• Experience developing volunteer training or volunteer development opportunities.

• Understanding of food poverty, food waste or community food systems.

• Experience using volunteer management systems or databases.

• First Aid qualification or safeguarding training.

• Experience organising community events or group activities.

• Full UK driving licence.

Pay and Benefits

• Full-time role: 5 days per week (7.5 hours per day), Tuesday to Saturday
• Annual Leave: 28 days (inc. bank holidays, additional days based on length of service)
• Salary: £28,760 plus 3% employer’s pension contribution (REfUSE is not in a position to negotiate on salaries and benefits)
• Employment term: Permanent (subject to a 3-month probationary period)
• REfUSE Volunteer Champion - Job Information Pack

Application information

This is an exciting role so if you are considering applying, why not contact us to have a chat or arrange a time to visit us at REfUSE? If you require any further information, please contact Lee or Karen, 07561 765264 or email admin@refusedurham.org.uk (You can also head to our website to check out all the current opportunities to 'Work with us')

If you would like to apply, please send us the following:

• A covering letter describing why you would like to work for REfUSE as the Volunteer Champion, your relevant experience and how you meet the job specification above (1 A4 page maximum)

• An up-to-date CV (2 A4 pages maximum)

• Contact details for 2 referees

• Your availability for the interview on the dates specified below and any adjustments you may need so we can support you in coming to the interview.

• Where you heard about this job

Send your email to admin@refusedurham.org.uk with an email subject of ‘Your Name - Partnerships and Funding Manager’ before the deadline date.

Key Information

• The deadline for all applications is 17:00 on Sun 7th June - Applications received after the deadline or without the required documents will not be considered.
• Interviews will take place in person at REfUSE (143c Front Street, Chester le Street, County Durham, DH3 3AU) on:
  • Tues 16th June (PM) or Weds 17th June, and then
  • Weds 24th June
• Start Date - July 2026 

 

• We will endeavour to contact all applicants promptly to inform them of the status of their application. For the successful candidate, we will contact their two referees before making a provisional job offer. We will then carry out pre-employment checks (including a Medical Health Questionnaire, Right to Work Check, and an Enhanced DBS Check). We will review this information on a case by case basis to ensure that, with any reasonable adjustments, you can meet the requirements of the role.
• REfUSE is an office-based organisation, but that should not preclude people from applying for roles if they need an element of working remotely. REfUSE will try to accommodate such needs where appropriate to the role.

Please mention Roots to Work when applying for these jobs