VOLUNTEERING

Due to funding circumstances, we have recently been forced to close our Tuesday service. Applications to join our Sunday volunteer team are paused until further notice as we catch up on welcoming applicants who have applied since our service was halved. If you have any questions, please email Bea at volunteering@stjohnskitchen.org.uk

  • Our shifts run Sundays 10.30am - 2.30pm, and you can volunteer for half or full shifts (after your first full shift).

    We do ask for a regular commitment from our volunteers, but that doesn’t mean every week. We ask people to come for 1 full shift or 2 half shifts a month to stay connected and involved (roughly 4.5 - 5 hours / month).

  • St John the Evangelist Church, Queen's Drive, Finsbury Park, North London, N4 2LW

    How to get here: Parking is not available on site, but we are located just a 5min walk from Finsbury Park Station so we are well served by public transport.

  • There’s a role for everyone, whether that’s in our busy front of house area serving guests directly, or behind the scenes in the kitchen or food bank working with another volunteer or two.

    • Kitchen: A busy back-of-house role engaging with other volunteers, getting creative by improvising a delicious and nutritious meal using what fresh fruit/vegetables our local grocer partners have donated that week.

    • Food Bank: A busy back-of-house role engaging mostly with one other volunteer, filling bags and restocking the shelves as you go.

    • The Hatch: A busy front-of-house role engaging with other volunteers and some guests, receiving and filling hot food and dessert orders.

    • Taking Orders: A busy front-of-house role engaging directly with our guests, requiring warmth, patience, and efficiency.

    • Lucky Dip: A steady front-of-house role engaging with guests, standing guard at our donated lucky dip items (incl. sandwiches and ready meals).

    • Pudding Maker: A work-from-home option, making a dessert and dropping it off on Sunday morning, requiring access to own appliances and ingredients.

  • Applying is really quick and easy. Just fill in the short form linked above, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

    We ask everyone for one reference (from anyone who has known you for at least one year), and once that has been received, you’ll be invited to attend your first shift.

    Your first shift must be a full Sunday 10.30am-2pm shift, but after that you can book half shifts and things are much more flexible.

    For more information, or if you need help applying, please email volunteering@stjohnskitchen.org.uk . Our Volunteer Coordinator Bea will be happy to assist.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • "The soup kitchen does as much for me as it does for our guests. No matter what is going on in the world, it remains a haven of kindness and positivity. I always leave with a smile on my face!"

    —Sacha, volunteering since September 2023

  • "Volunteering with St. John's Soup Kitchen has allowed me to meet and interact with amazing people who, just like many of us at times, need a little support with dignity & genuine care. Every hand shaken, every meal served simply brings much joy & great hope for a better day. This experience has been very fulfilling to me, and I hope to the guests, too."

    —Robert, volunteering since July 2024

  • "Volunteering at the soup kitchen, I feel more part of the local community. I enjoy using my imagination, trying to understand how best to help a wide variety of people, or deciding what to cook for 80 people!"

    —Katharine, volunteering since January 2023

  • "The Soup Kitchen is my happy place. I really feel part of my community, and like I am doing something very real and very good for our most vulnerable neighbours. A diverse and joyful place, full of respect and generosity, and it’s an honour to be of service."

    —Bea, volunteering since March 2023

  • "I started volunteering at St John’s when I first moved to London three years ago. Not only did I feel my work there made a positive impact, but I also found a second home amongst fellow volunteers and also our service users! There’s never a dull moment and the community spirit at St John’s is unparalleled."

    —Conor, volunteering since November 2021