Lunch Club Support Worker

Friends of Histon & Impington Community (aka HI Friends)

HI Friends Lunch Club Support Worker

Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding role working for a charity?

Background 

HI Friends is community wellbeing charity based in Histon and Impington, and has a dedicated Older Peoples’ Team providing a range of services and activities to support local residents. This includes a Lunch Club (formerly Histon & Impington Day Centre) which takes place twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays and fortnightly sessions on Thursdays..

The Lunch Club provides a place where older residents can enjoy a meal, social activities and friendship. Around 12 attend each session which is held at Kay Hitch Way Community Centre in Histon.

A Lunch Club Support Worker is needed to help lead weekly sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays and provide cooking support when required.

Term time working and job share options would be considered

Key role information

• Number of hours – 40 hours per month to work two sessions a week on Tuesday and Friday (9.30am-2pm)
• Term of contract – Initial 12 month contract from March 2026 to March 2027
• Remuneration- Real Living Wage (£13.45 per hour)
• Line manager – Lunch Club Manager/Charity Manager
• Start date – March 2026
• Compliance – Enhanced DBS required
• Annual Leave – 28 days plus Bank Holiday pro-rata

Key Role Responsibilities

Main Activities

Supporting the Lunch Club

Provide session leader support at HI Friends Lunch Club twice a week  helping with needs of those attending, help plan the activities programme, participating in activities with members, supervising volunteers and helping to ensure smooth operation of the Centre.

When required help with preparation and cooking of meals, and comply with food hygiene procedures.

Promote and encourage a proactive and supportive approach for existing services and activities in the village for older people.

Approx. 85%

Networking, publicity, admin and other

• Develop positive working relationships with existing service and activity providers
• Be proactive with regard to personal learning and understanding, maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of older people’s health issues and best practice and attend relevant courses
• Take responsibility for organising own work effectively and for delivering results Work effectively with other members of the Wellbeing Team and charity staff

Approx. time: 15%

Qualities needed

Essential

• Awareness and understanding of main issues and needs facing older people
• Ability to interact and empathise well with older people
• Ability to deal calmly and confidently with people experiencing distress
• Good verbal and  listening skills, approachable, and empathetic manner
• Good organisation and time management skills, and team player
• Reliable, independent and self-motivated
• Some flexibility in working hours
• A willingness to complete online Level 2 Food Hygiene qualification (2 hours)

Desirable   

• Good understanding and strong support of the Charity objectives and ethos
• Experience working with volunteers
• Experience of working with older people in a professional or voluntary role in a wellbeing care setting
• Some experience of a catering role of preparing and cooking meals

Applicant’s information

• Closing date for applications: Wednesday 18th February
• Please provide CV and letter of application detailing direct experience relevant to essential qualities and send to the Charity Manager.
• Interviews will take place in personin week commencing 23rd February