Volunteer cook description
Overview
At Skanda Vale Hospice, we believe fabulous food comes second only to the outstanding care we provide. For us, meal times are fundamental to what we do – delicious, fresh, healthy food and an opportunity to talk, laugh, socialise and meet new people. Our Volunteer Cooks make meal-times magical, using their culinary skills to create menus that offer patients, guests and team members a great big gastronomic hug.
During our monthly respite weeks, our Volunteer Cooks provide delicious breakfast, lunch and supper delights for our patients and team. For our weekly Day Hospice, the focus is purely on creating a tasty and inviting nutritious lunch.
Great food and great meal-times are key parts of what we do – it’s why our Volunteer Cooks and kitchen crew are our so loved by everyone here.
Our Volunteer Cooks:
- Plan, prepare and make delicious and nutritious home-cooked food for our patients and volunteers to support their health and well-being
- Guide patients with meal selections, taking into consideration any dietary requirements
- Carry out general kitchen duties – washing up, clearing away and cleaning equipment and surfaces to relevant standards
- Manage cleaning records, efficient goods storage and stock rotation
- Check and log temperatures of foods, fridges and freezers
Our Volunteer Cooks need:
- Catering experience, including food preparation and cooking
- An understanding of food hygiene procedures with a Food Hygiene Certificate level 2 or a willingness to undertake it
- An understanding of nutrition, food allergies and special nutritional needs
- Self-motivation, time management and organisational skills
- Initiative and ability to work independently as well as within a team
- Compliance with Health & Safety and Infection Control procedures
We would love it if you had:
- Good interpersonal skills
- Experience of people dealing with a life-limiting illness – so you feel comfortable chatting with patients, carers and visitors
- A calm, diplomatic and professional manner in challenging situations
- Knowledge of COSHH Regulations
Personal qualities we value are:
- A compassionate and empathic attitude
- Enthusiasm and a conscientious approach to volunteering
- Approachability, person-centred manner and a sense of humour
- Awareness of own limitations and willingness to seek support.
We ask all our volunteers to:
- Attend a Welcome Day, Induction and ongoing training
- Participate in our annual development & review process
- Follow our policies and procedures
- Play an active part in the hospice risk management process to safeguard patients, visitors and colleagues
- Follow good infection control practices and be familiar with infection control policies, procedures & guidance relevant to their area of work
- Agree to a criminal records check prior to starting with us
Supported by: Housekeeping Lead
Base: Skanda Vale Hospice, Saron, Carmarthenshire
Hours of Service: The minimum requirement is 4 hours per week.
Our volunteers take part in induction and training, much of which happens in the first few weeks with us. Training varies role by role and can be reduced if someone has current relevant certificates. We also have meetings to update everyone and opportunities for additional support and learning.
Apply now
Before you start, make sure you have the names, numbers and email addresses of two referees (non-family members) who you’ve known for two or more years.