About the Service

At Swansea, we work alongside individuals experiencing crisis to help build confidence, develop practical life skills, and support greater independence and wellbeing.

Our cooking group is one of the many ways we create opportunities for participants to connect, learn, and develop skills that support everyday living.

Role Overview

Our Cooking Group is an engaging and practical program that helps participants develop essential life skills to support independent living and successful tenancy sustainment.

As a volunteer, you will assist with planning and delivering weekly or fortnightly cooking sessions in a welcoming and supportive environment. Working alongside staff, you will help participants prepare meals while building their confidence in meal planning, budgeting, food preparation, kitchen safety, and teamwork.

The classes have a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, making this a rewarding opportunity to build meaningful connections while supporting people to develop valuable everyday skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Planning and preparing cooking sessions
• Support participants with meal preparation, cooking, and kitchen clean-up
• Encourage safe food handling and good kitchen practices
• Guide and support participants as they build cooking and independent living skills
• Foster a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive group environment
• Build positive and consistent relationships with participants through regular attendance
• Work collaboratively with staff and other volunteers to deliver the program

To be successful in this role you will need

• Basic cooking and kitchen skills
• A friendly, patient, and encouraging approach
• A non-judgemental attitude and genuine desire to support others
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to engage respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences
• Reliability and commitment to attending scheduled sessions
• Adherence to St Vincent de Paul NSW policies, procedures, and Work Health and Safety requirements

What you can gain from this role

• Experience supporting people experiencing homelessness
• Opportunity to develop group facilitation and mentoring skills
• Experience working alongside experienced community service professionals
• Build meaningful relationships while making a positive impact in your local community
• The satisfaction of helping people develop practical skills that support greater independence and long-term wellbeing

Requirements

• Participation in a volunteer interview
• A National Police Check (provided at no cost by Vinnies)
• A valid Working with Children Check
• Agreement to the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Volunteer Charter
• Completion of any required volunteer induction and training

If you are interested in becoming a valued Vinnies volunteer, please click the APPLY button below.

Why join Vinnies as a volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to interact with like-minded people and build friendships. Your contribution as a volunteer will bring you a feeling of satisfaction knowing you are working for an organisation that makes a difference for those in need. It will provide an opportunity for those who would like to gain office and administration training and experience and an avenue for you to share your expertise and talents.

The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW (Vinnies) assists people experiencing poverty and inequality and works to shape a more just and compassionate society. We assist in offering “a hand up” to people in need. We do this by respecting their dignity, sharing our hope, and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny.

The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation. Vinnies has developed a clear, accountable and transparent Policy and Procedures to ensure that it complies with relevant legislation and that all children and young people who come into contact with the Society are kept safe and are supported to the best of our capacity.

St Vincent de Paul Society (NSW) is an Equal Opportunity host and is committed to engaging a diverse workforce. The Society strongly encourages applications from people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and mature aged applicants.