Cooking + Befriender

Food Train is a charity helping older people across Scotland. We offer our members practical help to eat well, age well and live well at home for longer.

We’d like to see access to food and meals for older people right across Scotland that is readily available, culturally appropriate, nutritious, fresh and designed to improve the health and wellbeing of our older population.

Meal Makers is a local, neighbourhood food-sharing project that connects service users with a volunteer cook in their local area.

About the service
As a volunteer cook, you would bring round an extra portion of a freshly prepared, home-cooked food as well as provide company and a friendly chat. Meal sharing occurs weekly on a day and time agreed by both.

Why volunteer with us?
We have kind and caring volunteers all over Scotland, bringing friendship and joy to older people’s lives whilst providing much-needed practical help. Our volunteers are vital to the success of Food Train and without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to operate.

The best thing about volunteering is that you can choose to do as little or as much as you want. We have a variety of roles depending on where you live and what part of Food Train you want to volunteer with. By volunteering for us you can utilise your skills and experience to help make a difference in your local community.

As a Food Train volunteer, you will receive all the support and information required to complete your role safely and confidently.
Training details
Online induction and training programme, ID check and meeting with a member of the Food Train Connects Team, role handbook and ongoing support from a named member of the team.

Some of our roles will require you to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme because you will be working directly with vulnerable adults. But don’t worry, we will support you through the whole process and you will not be expected to pay for this yourself.

If you are aged 16 or over and would like to make a difference to older people’s lives, then why not join us? We also welcome enquiries from anyone under 16, please contact your local branch here before completing the form to discuss supported roles. We are proud to be a welcoming, inclusive charity and are keen to hear from people of all communities, abilities, backgrounds and walks of life.

The time required to complete would be roughly 2 hours per week or fortnight and times are agreed between yourself and the diner. We try where possible to match people locally so this can be fitted in alongside your other commitments

Role Description
-Paired with an older person to deliver a weekly home-cooked meal.
-Provide an effective meal-sharing service for your diner.
-Spend time with your diner, listen, chat and discuss various topics.
-To report back to the Food Train Connects team and complete all required documentation after each meal share.

Skills & Experience Required
-Ability to cook a home-cooked meal while employing good food hygiene principles. Willingness to use own car or public transport to deliver meals.
-Good communication skills and willingness to use own phone and online device to record and submit activity logs and complete online forms.