Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer Chef or Cook with Wesley Mission Queensland's Wednesday Community Meal.

Wesley Mission Queensland is seeking experienced chefs or cooks who are willing and able to volunteer their time on a weekly regular or fortnightly rostered basis to the Wednesday Community Meal program, preparing a single course lunch for up to 25 onsite volunteers; and preparing and serving the three-course after-hours dinner on Wednesday evenings to between 100 and 125 people.

About the Community Meal Service

Community Meal is part of Wesley Mission Queensland’s Brisbane Relief Hub situated at 316 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley, 4006.

Community Meal has been serving people who find themselves in times of hardship since 2005. The service provides a vital lifeline for those who are isolated, disadvantaged, homeless or with insufficient resources, who live with mental health issues or addictions, domestic violence, or poverty. The inclusive nature of the meal is a unique drawcard for those who attend where they can interact with others and eat a meal together in a safe and respectful environment. The Community Meal Service offers a range of programs throughout the week that includes:
  • A two-course lunch every Sunday
  • A two-course after-hours dinner every Monday
  • A single course midday lunch for onsite volunteers every Wednesday and a three-course after-hours dinner every Wednesday evening
  • Two-course lunch every major public holiday and a four-course lunch on Christmas day.
Each Community Meal is assisted by a large pool of volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts to supporting those in need. Community Meal also receives food sourced from Foodbank and Oz Harvest as well as through the Emergency Relief Service. The Community Meal Service operates under the supervision of the Manager of the Brisbane Relief Hub, sitting alongside another Wesley Mission Queensland service onsite – the Emergency Relief Service – that provides supports and programs during the daytime assisting those in need. Support is also provided from the Emergency Relief Caseworker, Emergency Relief staff, and other volunteers on site.
About the Role of Wednesday Community Meal Chef or Cook

The Wednesday Community Meal program offers two meal activities utilising a range of volunteers: 
  • A small team consisting of WMQ registered volunteers and residents of the Helena Jones Correctional Centre assists every Wednesday in the setup and preparation of the Wednesday lunch and after-hours dinner
  • A larger team consisting of WMQ registered volunteers and employees, corporate and community guest volunteers who assist in the service and clean-up of the Wednesday evening meal.
The role of the Chef or Cook will be to purchase food from Foodbank as well as assess food from other sources in the menu development for the Wednesday lunch and Wednesday evening meal; participate in the set up of the meal and the preparation, cooking, service, and clean-up of the meal. The chef or cook will be supported by the Manager, Emergency Relief Caseworker, and other Emergency Relief staff as well as volunteers from within Community Meal.

Chefs and Cooks volunteer their time across three days that include:
  • Tuesday morning from 8am to 12pm - visit Foodbank to purchase stock and supervise table setup
  • Wednesday 8am to 9pm - assess, prepare and cook midday lunch and evening meal, provide service and then clean up and debrief
  • Thursday 8am to 11am - final clean-up.
We understand that this is a huge commitment and are willing to explore options and alternatives from suitable applicants, however, participation in a full Wednesday is the core element of this position. This position is ideal for people who have professional cooking or chef experience who are either retired or who have the ability to dedicate the time on an ongoing basis.
Community Meal is a welcoming and rewarding place to volunteer where you will meet many wonderful people from various backgrounds and learn great new skills that may assist you both personally and professionally. There are lots of other benefits to volunteering with us as well, such as:
  • Great education opportunities
  • Exclusive shopping discounts
  • Access to online and face-to-face wellness advisors
  • Free Flu Vaccinations
  • Invitations to social events
  • Being part of a team that is making a difference in the lives of people in our local community.
In addition, you will also receive training from the Qld Department of Corrections as an onsite Supervisor of residents of the Helena Jones Correctional Centre.

All our volunteers follow a COVID-19 safe work plan and provide proof they have received their COVID-19 vaccinations before commencement.

For more information on the Community Service Meal please visit the Wesley Mission Queensland website.
What Happens Next

Before you consider becoming a Community Meal volunteer we ask that you read:
We also ask that you watch the Wesley Mission Queensland Volunteer Orientation Video to gain a better understanding of volunteering with Wesley Mission Queensland.

Once you have read these documents and watched the orientation video and you are confident you would like to become a volunteer, please complete this quick online registration. Once we receive your registration a Wesley Mission Queensland representative will be in contact with you to discuss the role further.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Other Information
  • Please visit Wesley Mission Queensland's website to see our full privacy information and collection statement.
  • Wesley Mission Queensland holds the right to decline any expression of interests that they deem unsuitable without notice.
  • If you have any questions about this registration form or its contents, please do not hesitate to contact us at volunteerrelations@wmq.org.au.
Let's start...

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1. Please provide your personal details:

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2. Your date of birth?

Date

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3. Please provide an emergency contact person for when you are volunteering:

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4. Do you have any special needs, time availability concerns, health issues, etc that you feel may affect your volunteer work or that we should know of in case of an emergency?

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5. Are you currently in Australia on a visa?

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6. Are you applying to volunteer with us as part of one of the following programs?

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7. Do you have any of the following security checks?
Checks must be current.

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8. Which days are you most interested in assisting with?  
Our preference would be that you are involved in all aspects, however, we also realize this is a large commitment.

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9. Tell us about a little about your experience as a chef or cook:

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10. Do you have any experience interacting with people who are marginalised, socially isolated, vulnerable or at risk?

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11. Do you have any further qualities, skills, qualifications or experience you can bring to this volunteer position you would like to tell us about?

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12. Are you able to provide proof that you have received your COVID-19 vaccinations?

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13. If recruited as a Wesley Mission Queensland volunteer, I agree to work within the terms and guidelines as outlined in the below declaration. 

I understand that as a volunteer with Wesley Mission Queensland I will be expected to: 
  • Interact positively with clients, staff, volunteers, families, and the general public. 
  • Understand and respect confidentiality, maintain professional boundaries. 
  • Volunteer within the guidelines of Wesley Mission Queensland's Code of Conduct. 
  • Undertake any training or competencies required in the position. 
  • Be prompt and reliable when rostered to volunteer and notify my supervisor promptly if I am not able to attend my shift. 
  • Work within the philosophies, policies, procedures, and guidelines of Wesley Mission Queensland. 
  • Supply or complete the required security check prior to commencement and ensure a current security check is on file at all times while I am actively involved as a volunteer with the service. 
  • Follow a COVID-19 safe work plan and provide proof I have received my COVID-19 vaccinations. 
I have read, understood, and am willing to follow the guidelines within the:
I have watched and understood the contents in the:

Thank you for expressing your interest in this volunteer role.
We will be in touch with you soon to discuss the position further.


By pressing "SUBMIT" I declare that the information I have provided is correct.
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