Volunteer Driver's Assistant

We're looking for volunteer Driver's Assistants to join our busy friendly delivery team in our FareShare Greater Manchester depot to help redistribute tonnes of surplus food a month to charities and community initiatives tackling food insecurity across the city region.

Key responsibilities

• Working closely with the driver of a temperature-controlled 3.5 tonne Mercedes Sprinter van to deliver surplus food orders to the premises of the benevolent projects we support. 
• Loading and unloading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

Benefits and Perks

• Practical experience to strengthen your CV if you are job-seeking
• Career and CV advice and support
• A reference for future employers
• Reimbursement of travel and lunch expenses 
• The opportunity to give practical help to fight food poverty and reduce food waste (and associated CO2 emissions)
• The opportunity to meet like-minded people and make new friends

Skills Required

• Physical fitness, to take on moving and handling of food orders
• Ability to follow procedures and instructions
• Good verbal communication skills
• Reliability and ability to commit to pre-agreed volunteer shifts
• High respect for Health & Safety procedures and standards
• Interest in the work of FareShare Greater Manchester and our values

About Us

FareShare is a national charity which is fighting food poverty and global warming by tackling food surplus.

Working in partnership with EMERGE 3Rs in Greater Manchester, we source overstocked food from retailers and manufacturers and engage many volunteers to help re-distribute it to over 220 frontline charities and community groups across the city region.

This food would otherwise go to waste, so we are simultaneously supporting people in need and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Our operating hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4pm.

The days and rota hours of volunteering are agreed around your availability.

You have a choice of two shifts that you can sign up for within these operating hours.

We especially welcome volunteers who can reliably commit to one day a week. 

We operate from our FareShare Greater Manchester regional centre, which is based on New Smithfield Market in Openshaw, North Manchester, and is accessed from the main entrance on Whitworth Street East (off Ashton Old Road). (For the precise location of our base, please see the Google Maps link).

The depot is well served by public transport, with the 219 bus running regularly along the nearby Ashton Old Road.

We also have free car parking on site and secure racks on our premises for cycles and eBikes.

IMPORTANT NOTE: At busy times, due to high demand on staff, there may be a delay in responding to applications, but please be assured that if you apply for one of our roles, we will get back to you as soon as possible. Please bear with us. We receive and answer all applications.