Volunteer with us
You’ll be part of a dynamic team supporting our vision to end the need for food banks.
Every year, more than 30,000 volunteers give their time, skills and compassion to support the Trussell Trust and food bank network. Without these incredible volunteers we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do, and the many people facing hardship wouldn’t get the support they need.
What does volunteering with the Trussell Trust involve?
We are committed to providing positive, valued and accessible volunteering opportunities. These cover volunteering roles in food banks and within our corporate teams:
In food banks volunteers make a difference in the local community across a range of roles from boosting donations, packing food parcels, providing a warm welcome, tackling loneliness, signposting to additional services, connecting with partners, raising awareness and leading projects.
In the Trussell Trust, home-based volunteers support teams with administrative support, project management and development, as well as through awareness-raising opportunities such as being a social media advocate.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are committed to providing impactful, flexible and supportive volunteering experiences regardless of role or location. Find out more about our current opportunities and sign up to volunteer
If there aren’t any results in your immediate area please consider extending the search area if you are able to support a little bit further away. Thank you!
Anthony
“I had occasion to need the food bank myself a few years ago and decided to repay them by bringing a tray of canned tomatoes to donate, as well as asking if they needed volunteers – to which they quickly replied yes! I have found it an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I know a bit of bad luck can happen to anyone and you can see what a great help food banks are to those in need.”
Volunteering FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about volunteering with the Trussell Trust and the food banks in our network. If your question isn’t answered or you need more information, please email [email protected]
You can find current opportunities in your area using the link above. Alternatively, visit your local food bank’s website and see which opportunities they are recruiting for under “Volunteer with us”. Please note that we do not guarantee opportunities at any food bank and food banks will only reply if they have a role open.
There are lots of ways you can help us end the need for food banks in the UK. You can sign up to our Social Media role to be a voice for change online or become a Time for Trussell volunteer, giving your time from home taking part in tasks like organising a food collection. You can also give your support by signing up for our latest campaign helping us push for long-term change.
Food banks are extremely busy and are only able to reply to roles they are actively recruiting for. You can find current opportunities in your area using the link above. Alternatively, visit your local food bank’s website and see which opportunities they are recruiting for under “Volunteer with us”.
If you’ve applied for a specific role and haven’t heard back after four weeks please email [email protected]
Every volunteer has a main contact either at the Trussell Trust or at their local food bank. They will help induct you into your role, answer any questions you have, and support you if there are any problems.
You’ll get training that is relevant to your role. This may be delivered internally at the food bank, or may involve going on an external course e.g. on food hygiene.
Your local food bank may or may not have its own expenses policy. Please check with them directly before you start volunteering.
If you’re receiving benefits, including means-tested benefits, you can volunteer for as many hours as you want as long as you continue to meet the rules or conditions of getting that benefit.
For example, if you’re receiving Jobseekers’ Allowance, you can volunteer as long as you meet the conditions of your claim (e.g. remain available for and actively seeking a full-time paid job). If you’re receiving Carers’ Allowance, you need to continue to provide at least 35 hours a week of care to the person who is receiving the disability benefit. For Jobseekers’ Allowance, Carers’Allowance, and Income Support, you should inform the Jobcentre that you are volunteering.
For most roles, volunteers need to be over 18. There might be circumstances where volunteers under 18 might be able to take part (e.g. while completing a Duke of Edinburgh award). Please check with your local food bank first.
Volunteers under 18 must receive parental permission before starting their role.
Having unspent criminal convictions or cautions doesn’t necessarily prevent you from volunteering but it would be important to declare these as part of the application process. This ensures you and the recruiting manager can have an open discussion to see what, if any, support would be needed and whether these can be met as part of the role.
We are committed to embracing diversity and promoting equality and inclusion. As a volunteer, you can expect to be treated fairly regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, parental or marital status, disability, religion, colour, race, ethnic or national origins, or socio-economic background.
If you have any health conditions or additional needs that might impact your volunteering, please let us know as part of the application process. This ensures you and the recruiting manager can have an open discussion to see what, if any, support would be needed and whether these can be met as part of the role.