About the Organisation
Food Train is a registered charity providing vital support services to enable older people to live independently at home for as long as possible. In North and South Ayrshire at present we provide a weekly grocery shopping service.
List of Volunteering Opportunities and Description
Food Train operates from Monday to Thursday every week of the year. There are currently 3 different types of volunteering roles available. These are:
• Shopper – required on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings between 8.15 and 11.30 (finishing time depends on the number of customers we have on each day).
• Delivery driver – required on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9.15 and 16.15 (finishing time depends on the number of customers we have on each day).
• Delivery driver’s helper – required as per delivery driver.
Shoppers must be able to read shopping lists and product information on goods i.e. low fat, salted, unsalted, sugar free – to identify correct products which might be important for the health and diet requirements of an older person. They should also be able to distinguish between sizes i.e. 1pint, 1 litre, 250g, 500g,1 kg etc. Some of our older customers have very small kitchens and restricted storage space, so choosing the correct size is important to them.
Drivers will be expected to take responsibility for the daily checking and minor maintenance of the vehicle. They will need to complete a log sheet with mileages, check for damage, check air in tyres, fill with fuel and top up oil and water levels when required. They will also be in charge of loading the vehicle and should aim to follow a fuel efficient route at all times. The driver will also be expected to help carry shopping boxes into the customer’s house with the helper. The driver and helper should work as a team and stay together at all times in the customer’s house. Drivers should have a tolerant nature and have empathy and understanding of the challenges facing older people living alone.
The delivery helper assists the driver in loading the van and carrying the shopping into the customer’s house, but has a lead role with the customer interface. Helpers are responsible for collecting the cost of the shopping and the Food Train delivery charge from the customers. The driver and helper should stay together at all times in the customer’s house and drivers are expected to witness all cash handling carried out by the helper. Helpers should be good at handling money and the basic arithmetic of addition (shopping plus delivery charge) and calculating change due. Helpers should have a tolerant nature and have empathy and understanding of the challenges facing older people living alone.
Contact Details
Marri Welsh, Food Train, Garden Wing, Elliot House, Kilwinning Road, Irvine, KA12 8TG
Tel: 01294 271025
Email: marri@thefoodtrain.co.uk
Note: Please quote ‘TACT Get Connected in 2017’ when contacting the organisation.