Hallam Students' Union (Volunteering)

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Volunteering and Community Action opportunities run by Hallam Students' Union. These may take place at local schools, charities, community organisations...

Cost-of-Living Shop Volunteers 24/25

This opportunity takes place between 07 Oct 2024 and 15 Aug 2025

Volunteering with Hallam Students' Union's Cost-of-Living Shop, assisting with the day-to-day running of the Swap Shop and Community Fridge.

Passionate about community and the environment? As part of our response to the Cost-of-Living crisis and our ongoing commitment to supporting students, we've launched the Cost-of-Living Shop at the Hubs, where students access to free food and a clothing and book swap, giving students the chance to declutter and get new clothes for free. The Community Fridge project works with local partners such as cafes, bars and food shops to collect any surplus food at the end of each day that would otherwise go to waste, bringing it into the Students’ Union to redistribute. Located at The Hubs, the Cost-of-Living Shop is run by student volunteers, and we're now looking for new and returning students to help run the project throughout the 24/25 academic year.

Overview of Project

Cost-of-Living volunteering with Hallam Students’ Union. – focusing on running of the HSU Cost-of-Living Shop from when we reopen on 7th October 2024, including the Community Fridge and clothing/book swap. This opportunity may be of particular interest to those studying: Food and Nutrition Human Nutrition and Health International Hospitality Business Management Nutrition, Diet and Wellbeing Events Management Fashion Management and Communication Fashion Design We are also interested in working with a student to act as the student community lead for this project, committing slightly more time each week than other volunteers to help coordinate the Cost-of-Living Shop. If this is something that might be of interest to you, we’d love to have a chat about ideas and how this might work.

This Role Involves

Activities and responsibilities including but not limited to: Overseeing the Community Fridge in its day-to-day operation, including fulfilling health and safety procedures, logistics and customer service Using our activity logging systems to effectively record when students have use the service Assisting students with getting free food that would have otherwise gone to waste Collecting food from local partners including supermarkets and cafes, and bringing to the Hubs Helping to locate and secure other potential food donors Recording food donated to the Community Fridge Facilitating sustainable clothing swaps Helping to guide students through the swap process Monitoring stock & accepting clothes Assisting in visual appearance of the shop

Location

Hallam SU (The Hubs)

Skills/Experience Required

Customer service (preferable) Food Hygiene training (preferable - training will be provided if not)

Benefits to Others

Free Food provision for those in need Free, sustainable clothing provision Contribution to sustainability Helping the student community with the cost of living crisis

Benefits to the Volunteer

Logistical knowledge around retail & food Working with external stakeholders Customer service experience Awareness of sustainability projects Working in a food environment Supporting vulnerable groups Gaining knowledge around sustainable practices Providing vital services around the cost of living Opportunities to meet new people Induction and role-related training Flexible responsibility levels to suit different volunteers Hours contribute to the Hallam Award.

Role Duration

Immediate start, throughout the 24/25 academic year. Shifts from Monday to Friday, 1:30pm-3:30pm and 3pm-5pm. Minimum commitment of one two-hour shift per week during term time.

Time Commitment (hours Per week/month/year, etc)

2hrs/week

Training Information

Food Hygiene Level 2 qualification Induction and role-related training Additional recommended LinkedIn learning

Expenses Information

Expenses for travel covered by Hallam Students Union. Information will be given in induction.

DBS required?

No
  • Area of InterestAdministration, Communities, Cooking/Food, Data Entry, Human Rights, Social Isolation
  • Academic Course RelevanceAdministration, Education, Environmental Sciences, Events Management, Fashion, Health and Social Care, Humanities, Journalism, Marketing, Medical Care

Employability skills

  • Assertiveness 0
  • Communication and Listening 0
  • Critical Thinking 0
  • Initiative 0
  • Innovation and Creativity 0
  • Leadership 0
  • Networking 0
  • Organisation 0
  • Partnership Working 0
  • Problem Solving 0
  • Public Speaking and Presentations 0
  • Team Work 0
  • Time Management 0
  • People Skills 0