Newcastle Foodbank

Foodbank Centre Assistant

This role involves providing direct support to people who use our foodbank; packing their food parcels and making them feel comfortable.

Key tasks

• Prepare food parcels for collection adding extra items as instructed.
• Tidy up as required during the session.
• Offer a listening ear and signpost clients, as required, to further support, using the Pathways team
• Work under the guidance of the session leader and report any health & safety or safeguarding concerns to the project manager/session supervisor

About you

• Strong team player
• Excellent communication skills
• Empathetic
• Has an eye for detail
• Organised and self-motivated
• Physically fit enough to lift heavy shopping bags 

Benefits of volunteering

• Using your existing skills to make a difference
• Meet new people who share your passion to eradicate poverty in the community
• Make a real difference to the running of our foodbank

Impact of your role

• Helping to ensure a dignified experience to anyone visiting the foodbank
• Signposting people for further support which can help lift them from poverty

Gardening

Our gardening team are looking for new volunteers to attend weekly sessions helping with the fruit and vegetable growing, flower beds, path weeding, strimming, watering and composting.

If you are able to help, please complete our online application form or contact the office on info@nclwefb.org

Thank you!

Member of Hospitality Team

The Hospitality Team provide a vital service in offering people who use our services a hot drink and biscuits or cake. They are often the first point of contact when people use the food bank and can help engender a welcoming and warm environment.

Members of the team need: -

• To have a warm and welcoming personality.
• To have a quiet and calm disposition and to be able to provide calm and effective support to people in crisis who may be emotionally upset.
• To be able to work under pressure when the distribution centre is busy.
• An understanding of the Food Bank Safeguarding policy and procedures.
• An understanding of Food Hygiene regulations with regard to food storage and handling.
• A willingness to undertake appropriate internal and external training.

Members of the team will: -

• • • Set up tables with sugar, biscuits etc.
    • Serve tea & coffee, squash etc.
    • Wash dishes
    • Tidy away at end of session

🏘️ About Us

Newcastle Community Pantry was established by Newcastle Foodbank in April 2023 to provide low-income households with access to affordable food and essential household items. Our mission is to offer practical support in a welcoming, community-focused environment that promotes dignity, choice, and connection.

We currently operate three pop-up pantry locations across the city:

• Tree Top Village, Walker – Mondays, 11:30am to 1:30pm
• Blakelaw Community Centre – Tuesdays, 10:00am to 12:00 noon
• NUCASTLE Foundation Building – Thursdays, 12:00 noon to 1:30pm

Each pantry helps residents move beyond crisis and build long-term resilience. We’re expanding our team and looking for friendly, people-focused volunteers who are passionate about making a difference in their community. If you enjoy connecting with others and want to contribute to meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you.

🙋‍♀️ About the Role

We’re seeking warm, approachable, and detail-oriented individuals to support membership enquiries and assist with the early stages of financial assessments. No prior experience is needed—full training will be provided, and our supportive team will be with you every step of the way.

The most important skill you’ll bring to the role is the ability to connect with people: listening with empathy, building trust, and helping members feel genuinely supported.

We’re more than just a food provider—our goal is to help individuals address financial and housing challenges before they reach crisis point, offering wraparound support that makes a lasting impact.

📋 What Will the Work Involve?

You’ll help deliver a welcoming and effective service across our pantry locations. Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting members and potential members with completing application forms
• Entering member details into our secure online database
• Conducting initial income and expenditure conversations to understand financial circumstances
• Using professional curiosity to explore deeper challenges and identify support needs
• Making referrals or booking appointments with our specialist welfare advisers
• Contacting individuals when pantry spaces become available
• Following up with members who haven’t attended sessions
• Adhering to data protection, confidentiality, and equal opportunities policies

This newly created role is designed to ensure that Newcastle Community Pantry meets the needs of both current and prospective members. It also plays a vital part in helping us proactively identify opportunities to maximise income, reduce essential outgoings, and address broader challenges such as housing instability or safeguarding concerns.

🚫 What You Won’t Be Asked to Do

You won’t be expected to complete benefit applications, manage appeals, or offer financial advice, as this includes regulated activity. All specialist advice and support is handled by our dedicated welfare team, ensuring members receive expert support when they need it.

🎁 What We Offer

Although this is a voluntary role, it offers a meaningful opportunity to gain hands-on experience, build valuable skills, and contribute to the work of a well-respected local charity making a real impact in the community. You’ll receive a comprehensive training programme and ongoing support to help you thrive in the role.

Member of Pathways Pastoral Support Team

The Pathways Pastoral Support Team provides a listening ear and signposting to appropriate agencies for people who use the food bank. They are often the first point of contact where people with multiple and complex needs have an opportunity to discuss their problems.

Members of the team need: -

• To have a quiet and calm disposition and to be able to provide calm and effective support to people in crisis who may be emotionally upset.
• Confidence to approach people as they wait for their food parcel and to engage them in conversation.
• An ability to recognise people who might need additional support and to give them priority over others using the food bank.
• Empathetic listening skills or a willingness to develop those skills through training.
• An ability to recognise when signposting to appropriate agencies might be necessary.
• An understanding of the processes of referral to other agencies or opportunities for support.
• An understanding of the barriers that many of the people using the food bank might experience in accessing other forms of support, advice & guidance.
• An understanding of the Food Bank Safeguarding policy and procedures.
• A willingness to undertake appropriate internal and external training.

Members of the team will: -

• Approach people who they suspect might need additional support.
• Open a conversation with the person and allow them time and space to discuss any issues but especially why they need to use the food bank.