Volunteer

As a registered charity with no paid staff we rely solely on our dedicated team of volunteers to carry out the work that we do. All of our volunteers are greatly appreciated, as without them the soup kitchen simply wouldn’t exist.

We need committed people to work in the soup kitchen serving guests hot food and drinks and lending a friendly ear. Although the work can occasionally be challenging it is also very rewarding. Experience is not necessary; however volunteers must be over 18 years old. We understand that people have busy lives so our flexible rota system means it’s not necessary to commit to working every week.

If customer facing work isn’t for you we also have opportunities behind the scenes to make stew for our guests. This is done from the comfort of your own home (we provide large pans). We pay volunteers for the ingredients, but you can make your own favourite recipes! We also have roles which involve the packing food bags or collecting goods and donations

If you would like to join our team please click on the link below to our contact us page https://southportsoupkitchen.net/contact-us/

117 thoughts on “Volunteer”

    1. Hi Debbie, thank you for offering your services to the Soup Kitchen. Unfortunately we do not open over Christmas. Provision for our guests is provided by a different organisation at a different venue, usually on Mornington Road. We don’t know yet what the details are for this year but if you scroll down our Facebook page for last Christmas you should see a tel. no. for the organiser. Good luck, and well done for thinking so far ahead.

    1. Hello Debbie, thank you for thinking about volunteering with us. We do not hold inductions at the moment as we get a lot of requests offering help over the Christmas period, when we are not open. if you are thinking of a long term commitment to the Soupie then please let me have a tel. no. and I will pass your details on to the volunteer who deals with this.

    1. Hi Ian, thank you for thinking of volunteering with the Soup Kitchen. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to make a long term commitment, not just over the Christmas period. You must be 18 or over and be able to work through a 10 am to 2pm shift with no break on a Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Alternatively you might like to join our stew rota which involves making a large pan of stew and delivering it to the Soupie about once a month. We give money towards the ingredients. If you would like to continue please supply a telephone number and we’ll get back to you.

    1. Hello Jane, thank you for thinking of volunteering with the Soup Kitchen. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to make a long term commitment. You must be 18 years old or over and be able to work through a 10 am to 2pm shift with no break on a Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Alternatively you might like to join our stew rota which involves making a large pan of stew and delivering it to the Soupie about once a month. We give money towards the ingredients. If you would like to continue please supply a telephone number and we’ll get back to you.

    1. Hello Sam,
      Thank you for thinking of volunteering with the Soup Kitchen. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to make a long term commitment. You must be 18 years old or over and be able to work through a 10 am to 2 pm shift with no break on a Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Alternatively you might like to join our stew rota which involves making a large pan of stew and delivering it to the Soupie about once a month. We give money towards the ingredients. If you would like to continue please supply a telephone number and we’ll get back to you.

    1. Hello Maria,
      Thank you for thinking of volunteering with the Soup Kitchen. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to make a long term commitment. You must be 18 years old or over and be able to work through a 10 am to 2 pm shift with no break on a Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Alternatively you might like to join our stew rota which involves making a large pan of stew and delivering it to the Soupie about once a month. We give money towards the ingredients. If you would like to continue please supply a telephone number and we’ll get back to you.

    1. Hi Pamela,
      Thank you for thinking of volunteering with us. As well as being 18 or over you must be physically able to stand for a full shift, which is from 10am until 2pm with no break. You would be serving stew, making sausages on toast, cakes or pudding, tea and coffee. You would sign up for a shift of your choosing on a Wed, Thu, Sat or Sun. Sunday is our busiest day when we have 4 volunteers on duty. The rest of the days we have 3 volunteers. If you sign up for a shift we expect you to turn up. Alternately you might like to join our stew rota which involves making large pans of stew to your own recipe about once a month on average. We provide stew makers with money towards ingredients. If you would like to proceed please supply a phone number.

    1. Hi Anna,
      Thank you for thinking of volunteering over Christmas. We close over the Christmas period and our guests are taken care of at a different venue. We don’t have any input to the organisation of that. From past experience I can tell you that it is unlikely that they will be asking for volunteers – they usually have that all set up by now. But if you would like further information you could contact Light for Life.

    1. Hi Kaylee,
      Thank you for thinking of volunteering with the Soup Kitchen. At this time of year we suspend recruitment as we will be closing for the Christmas period as usual.
      If you are looking to make a long-term commitment there are several options. You can serve at the SK on Wednesdays, Thursdays,Saturdays or Sundays. Shifts are from 10 until 2 with no break.
      Alternatively you could join the stew rota which involves cooking at home and delivering the food to the SK, usually about once a month.
      If you would like to proceed you would not join the rota until the new year.

    1. Hi Jane,
      Thank you for thinking of volunteering with the Soup Kitchen. At this time of year we suspend recruitment as we will be closing for the Christmas period as usual.
      If you are looking to make a long-term commitment there are several options. You can serve at the SK on Wednesdays, Thursdays,Saturdays or Sundays. Shifts are from 10 until 2 with no break.
      Alternatively you could join the stew rota which involves cooking at home and delivering the food to the SK, usually about once a month.
      If you would like to proceed you would not join the rota until the new year.

    1. Hi Angela,
      Thank you for thinking of volunteering with the Soup Kitchen. At this time of year we suspend recruitment as we will be closing for the Christmas period as usual.
      If you are looking to make a long-term commitment there are several options. You can serve at the SK on Wednesdays, Thursdays,Saturdays or Sundays. Shifts are from 10 until 2 with no break.
      Alternatively you could join the stew rota which involves cooking at home and delivering the food to the SK, usually about once a month.
      If you would like to proceed you would not join the rota until the new year.
      We would need a phone number from you too.

    1. Hi Vicky.
      Thank you for offering your services to the Soup Kitchen. Volunteers must be 18 or over and be able to commit to shifts from 10 until 2 with no break.We certainly do need volunteers to work a Sunday shift – it is our busiest day.
      However we are closed now until 30th December. Please get back in touch in the new year if you would like to continue.

    1. Hi James,
      Thank you for thinking of volunteering with the SK. You must be 18 years old or over and be able to commit to shifts which last from 10am until 2pm, with no break, so quite hard physically. We are looking for a long term commitment from new volunteers. Usually, volunteers sign up to the rota for a shift about once a month. Please supply a telephone number if you would like to continue.

  25. Hi – I have been reading your page and oils like to offer help as I have some time available for a little while. I notice you want people to make stew and drop it off.
    I could make a few times a week at the moment if you needed. ( not sure how
    Long I will have time spare so would love to
    Offer it up while I can )
    I have read your policies and requirements. How do I go about discussing supporting you guys on the stew rota…. I make great soup, stew etc. Great work you do.

    1. Hi Julie, thanks for your kind thoughts towards our guests. As you read we have a rota of stew makers who generally cook about once a month. At the moment we are looking for a long term commitment from new volunteers. We have just introduced a new cohort of volunteers so are asking anyone else who enquires to go on a waiting list. I appreciate that this might not suit your circumstances at the moment but if you would like to be added please let me have a telephone number. Kind regards.

  26. Hello,
    I would also like to volunteer (or at least add my name to the waiting list). I currently work full time during the week therefore have weekends off, with no plans of changing, so I am able to fulfil your long term commitment requirements on either Saturday or Sunday and I flexible on either day. I am able to ‘batch’ cook stews in a large container that I freeze for later (I do this on a budget as well) so I am also happy and able to be added to the ‘cooking’ rota. I would really like the opportunity to use my free time to help others and utilise my cookery skills as well.
    Many thanks
    Megan

    1. Hi Kate, thanks for thinking of volunteering with the Soup kitchen. You must be 18 years old or over and capable of standing for a full shift from 10am until 2pm with no break. We are looking for a long term committment from new volunteers. We have two roles you might consider…. stew makers, who make large pans of stew about once a month and deliver it to the SK. We provide money towards the cost. or serving at the SK on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays or Sundays, your choice but volunteers serve about once or twice a month on their chosen day.
      Or you can do both roles. What do you think?

  30. Hi,

    I’m interesting in helping out with serving at the soup kitchen. I would offer to help with the cooking but if you knew the extent of my culinary skills then you would realise I might do more harm than good!
    My only fear is that, due to my very erratic work schedule, it will be hard for me to commit to a very regular pattern of help.
    If you think I can be put to any use please email me or call me on 07847 215405.

    Thanks
    Alex

    1. Hi Alexander,
      Thanks so much for offering your services to the Soup Kitchen. If you are 18 years old plus you sound like the kind of person we
      need. However, at this time of year we suspend recruitment of volunteers until the new year. Please get back in touch then. Your schedule will not be a problem as we don’t require a set number of days, only that if you sign up for a shift you turn up to do it. We look forward to hearing from you after the Christmas break.

    1. Hi Angela,
      Thank you for thinking of volunteering with the Soup Kitchen. You and your daughter would be very welcome as new recruits. However, we close soon (on the 22nd) for a Christmas break while our guests are looked after elsewhere. If you are looking for a long term committment to the Soupie please get back in touch in the New Year.
      Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    1. Hi Luke,
      Yes we do. Sundays are our busiest days. If you are 18 and available from 10 until 2 we could use you. However, the Soup Kitchen closes soon for the Christmas period while our volunteers have a well-earned rest and our guests are looked after elsewhere. So if you are looking to make a long-term committment to the Soupie then please get back in touch in the new year.

      1. I have been qualified 12 years and worked with children and adults 1-2-1 and couples and families. I own a counselling organisation and training centre in Cambridge which I still manage remotely. We work in schools, colleges, Cambridge uni, private practice and embrace victims of crime. I live in Tarleton and have my own private practice and work as an independent trainer. However I would like to give something back voluntary and thought of the homeless. I don’t know whether your service users would engage if it were officially counselling? Would be happy to discuss with you

    1. Hello Simone, Thank you for thinking about volunteering at the Soup Kitchen. You must be 18 or over and able to commit to a shift from 10 am until 2pm with no break on a Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday or Thursday. You can choose how often you sign up for a shift but about once a month is usual. If you feel you would like to continue please let me have an email address and tel no.

    1. Hi John,
      Thank you for offering to volunteer at the Soup Kitchen. You must be 18 or over and available for shifts at London Street on a Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday from 10 until 2 with no break, so quite hard physically. If this does not suit there are a few ideas on our website of other ways you can help us. Please send a tel no. if you would like to go ahead.

    1. Hi Nicola,
      Thanks so much for offering your services to our guests. Our website has lots of info on ways you can help. If you are 18 years old or over and can be available at least once a month on a Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday we would welcome your help. We are looking for a long term committment from our volunteers. If you want to volunteer over the Christmas period pease note we will be closed then. Further information is on our website.
      If you would like to proceed please supply a telephone number and email address.
      Best wishes,
      Southport Soup Kitchen

    1. Hello Nicola,
      Welcome back! It’s good to hear from an ‘old girl’ of the Soupie. You sound like you are in a good position now, so well done to you. You would be very welcome as avolunteer. I’m sure you know our opening days and times, so would you be likely to be volunteering midweek or at the weekend?
      As you know we will be closing soon for our Christmas break but I will pass your details along to the volunteers responsible for the rotas. Please let me have your phone number and email address (in a private email to southportsoupkitchen@gmail.com), and confirm you are 18 years old or over.
      Best wishes,
      Southport Soup Kitchen.

    1. Hi Emily,

      Thank you for offering your time to our guests. We are looking for a long term commitment from volunteers, who must be 18 years old (or more) and able to work from 10am until 2pm without a break. You have indicated that you would like to work on a Thursday. Typically volunteers sign up fo shifts about once or twice a month, although we have no rule about how often you do a shift.
      If you are over 18 and would like tp proceed please supply a telephone number.

      Best wishes,
      Southport Soup Kitchen

  42. Hi, I work with a group of students with disabilities at a local college and am looking for opportunities for them to volunteer and help the community. I am not sure cooking or serving food would be suitable for this group of students, however was wondering whether you might need any help shopping for supplies? Or if you can offer a list of responsibilities, we may be able to offer some other type of support.
    Sarah

    1. Hi Sarah,
      Thank you so much for thinking about helping us. We are always grateful for support from thecommunity and love to give people opportunities to help us. You are right about serving food in the Soup Kitchen. We have very limited space in the kitchen, plus we do not allow volunteers under 18 yearsold to be in there when we have our guests in.
      However, if you have a look at our website page, particularly the DONATE tab you will see some suggestions of ways that you and your students could help us. These have all come about because people, such as families with young children, who can’t work in the Soup Kitchen nevertheless still wanted to help. Please have a look and see if something appeals to you and is practical for you. If not get back to us and we’ll see if there is anything else we can do that works for both of us.

      Best wishes,
      Southport Soup Kitchen

    1. Hi Lynn,

      Thank you for thinking of offering your time to help our guests at the Soup Kitchen. It sounds like you would be a great stew maker. Those on the stew rota make large pans of stew (using the pans from the SK) and bring them to the SK at the weekend for use then. You can use any recipe you like but it must be made of nutricious ingredients, for which the SK pays somethng towards the cost. Bear in mind also that many of our guests have poor teeth so nothing too crunchy can be included, and bite size pieces for vegetables are best. I am not sure if we need anymore stew makers at the moment but can pass your details on to the volunteer who organises them and he can give you more details about what is involved if we do. Stew makers usually cook about once a month or so.
      Alternatively you could cook at home for our guests as and when you feel able. We have a number of volunteers who bake cakes or savoury dishes but not on a rota, just when they can afford it or have the time to do it. We expect that you maintain basic hygiene standards in your kitchen, of course, but so far you do not have to be inspected. Weekends are our busiest times when we need the stew but you can cook independently for Wednesday and Thursday instead or the wekend if you prefer.
      Hope this helps you to make a choice.

      Best wishes,
      Southport Soup Kitchen

    1. Hi Lynn,

      Thank you so much for offering your services to help at the Soup Kitchen. You must be at least 18 years old and able to stand for a shift from 10 am until 2 pm on a Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. If you arenot able to do that there are anumber of other ways you could help. Please see our website tabs VOLUNTEER and DONATE for ideas.
      Having said all that, we are not operating as usual at the moment due to coronavirus. I will ask our committee if we are taking new volunteers right now.
      Please let me know if you meet the criteria mentioned above before we proceed.

      Best wishes,

      Southport Soup Kitchen

    1. Hi Betty, sorry for the delay in replying. I was checking if we are taking on any volunteers. At the moment we are shielding many of our volunteers and guests but if you would like to come along to the Soup Kitchen at 11.30 on Sunday 18th you can meet Marie, one of our Trustees and she can explain what we are doing. It is not our usual service due to covid restrictions but it is more than we were able to do when covid began. I assume you are 18 years old or over. If not you cannot be a volunteer. If you can come along please make sure you have a mask. There will be hand sanitiser there but you may want to bring your own.

    1. Hello Chris, Thank you for offering your time to the Soup Kitchen. We are closed now and don’t open again until 2nd January. Normally our guests are looked after at a different venue during this time but with covid restrictions this has been severely curtailed to two days an only a take- away service. So I am afraid that new volunteers will not be required in 2020.
      Best wishes from all at the Soup Kitchen
      Merry Christmas

  48. Hi..I would like to offer my services free of charge and in any position..I have good cooking abilities, and a n.v.q in food hygiene..I was born in southport and have myself suffered hard times but now im financially secure and would like to help others..who are less fortunate..I have read and fully understand the conditions for working with you..if you could let me know if you have use for me…regards..J. rimmer

    1. Hello John, thank you so much for offering your time to help our guests. You sound just like the sort of person we would normally be looking for. Unfortunately, we are not in normal times. We have been operating a minimal service with only experienced volunteers until recently but the latest lockdown has caused us to close again so we are not recruiting at the moment. However, please keep an eye on our Facebook page as we will post there when we can resume normal service, which we sincerely hope will be soon. Take care.

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