By volunteering with us you will be helping adults and families in Southend. Families accessing our clubs are facing food insecurity, which means they can’t always access the food needed to make up a healthy diet.

From the feedback we receive, we know our clubs make a huge difference to members. People tell us Food On Our Doorstep has changed their lives massively and that they couldn’t live without it. As well as being financially better off, our members say they eat more healthily, as the food they receive challenges them to try new recipes.

There is no typical Family Action volunteer. We want our volunteers to be as diverse as the people we support. We need volunteers with a range of life experiences, skills and knowledge. In return for giving your time and talents, you will receive quality training, ongoing support, and the reward of knowing that you are making a real difference. This role will particularly suit volunteers who:
• Have previous experience in at least one of the following environments: retail, health & safety, environmental health, education and/or previous work with families
• Are able to work as part of a team and on their own initiative
• Are enthusiastic about delivering high quality customer service
• Have a clear understanding of food hygiene standards and procedures (training will be provided)
• Are able and willing to travel at short notice across designated region when necessary (does not apply to every FOOD club – check with your local coordinator)
• Have the ability to lift and carry heavy food parcels if needed
• Have the financial capabilities to collect money, ensure its safekeeping, and issue receipts accordingly
• Are able to build and maintain positive relationships, promote positive emotional wellbeing and greet service users with a friendly welcome.

Family Action volunteers tell us that volunteering with us can be challenging at times, but it is also very rewarding. Many of our volunteers also report that they have enjoyed:
• Becoming a part of Family Action, a national charity with over 150 years of experience supporting families
• Meeting new people and being part of a team
• Connecting with and making a difference to the lives of people in your community
• Regular training and development opportunities
• The opportunity to improve future employment prospects
• Developing new skills; increased confidence and self-esteem
All Family Action volunteers receive full training and access to ongoing supervision and support as long as they are in the role. For FOOD club volunteers, this includes training in food hygiene and manual handling (where relevant).