How this role makes a difference: Mealtimes are an important part of the day, offering residents the opportunity to enjoy good food and socialise with others. By offering a friendly welcome, taking time for a chat and helping residents feel comfortable, volunteers can make mealtimes more enjoyable, relaxed and sociable. Their support also helps residents feel cared for and valued, while helping the hospitality team create a warm and welcoming dining experience for everyone.

What you’ll be doing in this role:
• Chat with residents, take an interest in their day and help create a friendly, sociable atmosphere.
• Support the hospitality team by helping to serve plated meals, offering seconds and checking whether residents need anything else.
• Help residents access items such as sauces, napkins and cutlery.
• Assist with clearing plates and keeping the dining room tidy throughout the meal.
• Help ensure mealtimes are relaxed, enjoyable and welcoming for everyone.
• Gain valuable experience in hospitality while taking part in an enjoyable and rewarding volunteering role.

Skills & experience required:
• Chatty, friendly, and welcoming personality
• Ability to warmly greet guests and communicate effectively with a people.
• Capable of managing reservations, seating arrangements.
• Quick and effective resolution of guest concerns or complaints
• Ensuring all aspects of the dining area and guest service are meticulously managed.
• Maintaining a calm and professional demeanour under pressure.
• Confidently engage with a diverse range of people and enjoy helping others.
• A strong understanding and of issues that affect people in later life.
• Reliability, consistency and dependability.
• Good conversational and listening skills with a clear speaking voice.
• Patience, empathy and a non-judgemental attitude.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team, to also stay within the role’s boundaries – recognising what should and shouldn’t be done and when to seek advice or report concerns.

Induction, Learning & Development:
Training is provided to help volunteers carry out their roles confidently and to the highest professional standards, develop new skills and build confidence.

Jewish Care will provide the following training, essential for this role:
• Level 1 Food Safety training
• Volunteer induction training, including Getting to Know Jewish Care, Communication & Disability Awareness, Boundaries & Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety and GDPR.
• Access to the Volunteer Handbook and relevant policies and procedures.
• On-the-job induction and orientation.
• Ongoing support as needed.

Benefits of Volunteering with Jewish Care:
Without our volunteers, we simply couldn’t function. We absolutely depend on you. Whatever your age or circumstances, there are opportunities to help at Jewish Care.

As well as helping others, you’ll get the chance to develop skills, build confidence and make new friends.
• Enhance the lives of older people, making a real difference to the Jewish community we support.
• Be part of a great team and make new friends.
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills.
• Access a comprehensive training programme designed for the social care environment.
• Gain valuable experience and enhance your CV.
Our aim is to enable people to enjoy a first-class experience as volunteers, making the most of their skills to make an impact on the communities that Jewish Care serves.

Why get involved with Jewish Care?
The work of Jewish Care and the services we provide to our community are vital. We touch the lives of 10,000 people each week, with everything we do underpinned by our Jewish values and ethics. We provide services to:
• Older people
• People with mental health needs
• Holocaust survivors
• People living with dementia
• People with physical and sensory disabilities
• People who care for others
We can only do this thanks to our professional staff and dedicated volunteers who help make our work possible.

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of our services and does not replace the work of a paid member of staff. This role does not form any part of any contract of employment.
If you have any questions about this role, or about volunteering with Jewish Care in general, please contact or telephone.