Rekindle Pantry Volunteer

Organisation Details

Rekindle School Ltd
Sub theme: Health and Wellbeing, Homeless and Housing, Older people
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: Rekindle is a small but mighty national youth-led education charity, which was first conceptualised in Manchester in 2019 and co-designed by eight young people aged between 17-25. Our mission is to transform the education system from the ground up, to level the playing field and inspire young people to be bold critical thinkers and changemakers in their communities and beyond. Since 2022, we have run a supplementary school four days a week for 11-14 year olds in the heart of Hulme, which is open after school from 4-7pm, Tuesday - Friday.
Alongside running sessions for young people in the evenings centred around our 4Cs (creativity, cultural education, critical thinking and changemaking), we support members of the local community who are struggling with the rising cost of living and / or food insecurity. Between 11am and 1pm every Tuesday and Thursday, we provide essential food and hygiene items, free of charge with no referral process and no embarrassing questions asked.
We are also running a 12-month community heritage project titled "Rekindling Nello James," which is all about sharing and amplifying lived histories and stories related to Caribbean culture in South Manchester, and honouring the radical legacy of CLR James and the historic Nello James Centre - a vibrant community hub based in Whalley Range in the 1970s and 1980s. Throughout this project, we'll be creating a digital archive to preserve these stories and relevant archival materials (such as audio recordings, images and video footage) so that we can keep them alive and accessible for future generations, as well as document what we learn and discover during this project.
We are always looking for volunteers to lend a hand, and there is plenty that you could do to help out!
Alongside running sessions for young people in the evenings centred around our 4Cs (creativity, cultural education, critical thinking and changemaking), we support members of the local community who are struggling with the rising cost of living and / or food insecurity. Between 11am and 1pm every Tuesday and Thursday, we provide essential food and hygiene items, free of charge with no referral process and no embarrassing questions asked.
We are also running a 12-month community heritage project titled "Rekindling Nello James," which is all about sharing and amplifying lived histories and stories related to Caribbean culture in South Manchester, and honouring the radical legacy of CLR James and the historic Nello James Centre - a vibrant community hub based in Whalley Range in the 1970s and 1980s. Throughout this project, we'll be creating a digital archive to preserve these stories and relevant archival materials (such as audio recordings, images and video footage) so that we can keep them alive and accessible for future generations, as well as document what we learn and discover during this project.
We are always looking for volunteers to lend a hand, and there is plenty that you could do to help out!
Description of role: Ready to make a real difference in your community? Lend a hand at the Rekindle Pantry, an informal community foodbank in Hulme. Every week, we provide essential food and hygiene items to people struggling with the rising cost of living, with no referral process and no embarrassing questions asked.
What You'll Do
Your help is crucial. Volunteers at the Rekindle Pantry do everything from sorting donations to chatting with members of the community. You could be:
- welcoming people in and showing them around the Pantry
- picking up or unloading deliveries of surplus food
- setting up the Pantry and ensuring all items are in a good condition
- chatting with community members, offering them a listening ear or a cup of tea
- packing down the Pantry once it is closed to the public
- communicating key information with members of staff
What You'll Get Out of It
Volunteering with us is a rewarding experience that offers more than just the chance to give back. You will:
- make a direct impact on people's lives and help to fight food insecurity and waste
- boost your CV with valuable skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving (as well as the option to gain skills in data entry or inventory management)
- meet new people and become part of a passionate, diverse team
- find purpose and a sense of belonging in your local community
Who We're Looking For
Everyone is welcome! We're looking for individuals from all walks of life to lend a hand, no matter their experience or background. no experience is needed. If you're reliable, a team player, and passionate about helping others, there's a role for you at Rekindle.
About Us & Where to Find Us
The Rekindle Pantry is part of Rekindle School, a national youth-led education charity committed to empowering young people and transforming the education system from the ground up. The Rekindle Pantry is open between 11am and 1pm every Tuesday and Thursday, located at St Mary's Courtyard, St Mary's Street, Hulme, M15 5WB (near the Kath Locke Centre and Loreto College). Our nearest bus routes include: 15, 85, 85A, 86, 101, 102, 103.
If you’re ready to get involved, we’d love to hear from you!
What You'll Do
Your help is crucial. Volunteers at the Rekindle Pantry do everything from sorting donations to chatting with members of the community. You could be:
- welcoming people in and showing them around the Pantry
- picking up or unloading deliveries of surplus food
- setting up the Pantry and ensuring all items are in a good condition
- chatting with community members, offering them a listening ear or a cup of tea
- packing down the Pantry once it is closed to the public
- communicating key information with members of staff
What You'll Get Out of It
Volunteering with us is a rewarding experience that offers more than just the chance to give back. You will:
- make a direct impact on people's lives and help to fight food insecurity and waste
- boost your CV with valuable skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving (as well as the option to gain skills in data entry or inventory management)
- meet new people and become part of a passionate, diverse team
- find purpose and a sense of belonging in your local community
Who We're Looking For
Everyone is welcome! We're looking for individuals from all walks of life to lend a hand, no matter their experience or background. no experience is needed. If you're reliable, a team player, and passionate about helping others, there's a role for you at Rekindle.
About Us & Where to Find Us
The Rekindle Pantry is part of Rekindle School, a national youth-led education charity committed to empowering young people and transforming the education system from the ground up. The Rekindle Pantry is open between 11am and 1pm every Tuesday and Thursday, located at St Mary's Courtyard, St Mary's Street, Hulme, M15 5WB (near the Kath Locke Centre and Loreto College). Our nearest bus routes include: 15, 85, 85A, 86, 101, 102, 103.
If you’re ready to get involved, we’d love to hear from you!
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Numeracy and Finance, Administration, Customer Service, Oral Communication Skills, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Tuesday AM, Thursday AM
DBS required: Off
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 3 hours a week
Location:
St Mary's Courtyard, St Mary's Street, Hulme
Manchester
M15 5WB