Our Monday Solidarity Supermarket runs from 4pm to 6pm. The cafe is transformed into a corner grocery store, with a range of fresh fruit and veg, staple grocery items including organic products from Suma, and refillable spices, cleaning products and bulk organic rice and lentils, payable by sliding scale.

We seek volunteers to help us set up and pack down, manage the purchases and maintain a friendly and warm atmosphere in the cafe. If this is something you are interested in, please email Amy at outreach@hornbeam.org.uk

Do you have access to a car or know how to drive? Are you a confident cyclist who would like to learn to ride a cargo bike? If you would be keen to help reduce food waste and get usable food to people who need it, this would be a great way to help out.

We need a pool of local cyclists and/or drivers who would be able to pick up and drop off food when a local business lets us know they have a donation. As we never know when we might receive a donation, this role is ad hoc and dependent on your availability.This role is ideal for local people who might be willing to respond to a call out and run an errand at short notice. Many food businesses will have surplus to donate at the end of the day, so evening availability will be very useful.

There is an opportunity to be trained in riding cargo bikes. Volunteers are also welcomed to take some free groceries for their household as a thank you for helping out. If you are interested in joining this pool contact Angus: outreach@hornbeam.org.uk

The Hornbeam collects surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away, and redistributes it to local food shares, community kitchens, street pantries and food co-ops.

Our Surplus Food Hub:

Several times a week we receive large donations of food from organisations such as Felix Project, City Harvest and Waltham Forest Council, and small donations from local businesses such as Today Bread bakery. The work happens outdoors, in the the yard and involves sorting the crates that come in and keeping cold store well stocked and free of food that is passed it’s useful life.

Benefits: Volunteers can take home a bag of groceries after their shift.

Hours: Shifts happen on Monday, Thursday and Friday.

Based at The Hornbeam Centre, E17 9AH

How to apply:

Please send an email to Jess at volunteering@hornbeam.org.uk

At the Hornbeam, we combine ethos with practice, focusing on food as a tool to build community and encourage more sustainable systems as well as promoting our communities’ wellbeing. We work towards a more connected, inclusive and resilient Waltham Forest community. To reach our goal we organise or attend outreach activities. Depending on the projects we are running at the time, we need volunteers to attend events our partners are running, give information on the projects we run or help us with organising our own events!

Role specification

If you are interested in food insecurity, food justice, waste and environmental issues, if you have a passion for building sustainable communities, chatting to people from different backgrounds then this is for you!

As a volunteer you will be attending events or help us organise one. There will be a project coordinator who will provide you with training to equip you for this role and provide you with ongoing supervision.

You will engage with the public and in some cases people from our partner organisations. If you have a passion for empowering communities to mutually support one another and you’d like to engage in conversation with individuals to inspire them about how we live our lives and our impacts on our environment, you are welcome to join our team.

Once you register interest one of the project coordinators will get in touch with you to discuss the particular project and the opportunities for outreach. There will be food involved and expect to meet incredible people and connect with your local community!

Details:

Volunteer position

Any day of the week and sometimes weekends

Hours: 3 hours each shift

Dates and venue:

We will organise a safeguarding training, Time and venue TBA

This role is not based in a specific venue, outreach activities take place in Leyton and Walthamstow.

How to apply:

Please send an email to Amy to outreach@hornbeam.org.uk

Currently, due to the requirements of ongoing projects, The Gleaners are taking a pause on recruiting new volunteers. Do check back soon to see if this changes, or keep on eye on The Gleaners’ socials for updates on volunteer recruitment.