Work with us to change the food system

Volunteering with Edinburgh Food Social is a chance to give something back to your community, build new skills, and be part of our lovely, supportive team. We’ve been incredibly lucky to work with amazing volunteers who play a huge role in making EFS what it is today.

There are lots of ways to get involved, from supporting cookery classes and helping prepare community meals, to taking photos, making videos, creating content, supporting events, or helping us secure funding so we can continue and grow our vital work.

We’d love you to join us. If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete our volunteer recruitment form and email it to hello@edinburghfoodsocial.org.

Chair

We’re looking for a new Chair of the Board. We would love to hear from you if you’d like to play an instrumental part in our organisation and you have the following experience –

• Previous experience of being on another Board

• Sound knowledge of financial reporting and governance

• Experience of funding

• Good track record of managing significant budgets and reviewing financial plans

• Good network of contacts in Edinburgh

• Knowledge of at least one of the hospitality and food or third-sector

• Strategic thinker with clear vision

• Strong public speaker

• Approachable nature with strong ethical values and inspiring leadership

The role of the Chair involves:

• Leading the board and ensuring the right balance of skills required

• Leading the recruitment of suitable new board members

• Following up with other board members on items or actions outstanding

• Encouraging dialogue and participation from board members

• Developing an ethical culture in line with the values of the organisation.

• Promoting good governance and financial planning

• Overseeing the legal requirements and annual financial reporting of the organisation

• Ensuring Companies House information is up to date

• Working with the accountant, bookkeeper and treasurer to ensure accurate financial documentation is produced

• Ensuring effective insurance and liability cover is in place

• Helping to develop budgets and forecasts to enable the smooth financial running of the organisation

• Overseeing funding and ensuring critical costs are covered

• Ensuring clarity of financial reporting and P&L

• Providing supervision and support to the COO

• Check-ins and offer a sounding board/support with any issues

• Offering training and development where needed

• Acting as a figurehead or spokesperson where required

• Attending meetings of a political or high-profile nature

• Speaking at public events where required

• Developing a network of contacts and partnership organisations with COO

If you’re interested in applying for the position of Chair, then please feel free to reach out to discuss this.  Edinburgh Food Social – Board Member Recruitment Form.

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Safeguarding Officer

The Safeguarding Officer is responsible for overseeing the safeguarding of the organisation and being the contact should any issues arise. The role ensures that robust safeguarding policies, procedures, and practices are in place, that risks are effectively managed, and that the organisation meets its legal and ethical responsibilities to protect children, young people and any vulnerable adults we work with.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the Safeguarding Lead for the organisation
  Provide safeguarding leadership and challenge at board level.

• Ensure safeguarding policies are reviewed regularly and approved by the board.

• Monitor organisational compliance with safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practice.

• Ensure safeguarding is embedded into organisational strategy, planning, and risk management.

• Monitor the safeguarding inbox and deal with any questions or issues

• Put new staff and volunteers through Disclosure checks

• Escalate concerns to the Chair or relevant authorities where necessary.

• Ensure appropriate training and support are provided to staff and volunteers.

• Promote a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

• Keep up to date with changes in safeguarding legislation and guidance.

• Encourage continuous learning and improvement following safeguarding incidents or reviews.

Person Specification

Essential

• Strong commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

• Experience in governance, leadership, or strategic decision-making.

• Ability to provide constructive challenge and oversight.

• Willingness to undertake safeguarding training.

• Integrity, sound judgement, and respect for confidentiality.

• Alignment with the organisation’s values and mission.

Desirable

• Professional experience in safeguarding, education, health, social work, youth work, or related fields.

• Previous trustee or board experience.

• Knowledge of relevant safeguarding legislation (e.g. Children (Scotland) Act, GIRFEC).

• Experience of risk management or policy development.

If you’re interested in applying for the position, then please complete this Board Member Recruitment Form. and email it to chair@edinburghfoodsocial.org

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General Board members 

Board members are responsible for the overall strategic direction of the organisation. They ensure that our organisation is achieving as much as it can and that it is operating to the highest standards. Our Board is made up of people with expertise in a whole range of things who bring this knowledge and their contacts to help with the oversight of the organisation.

We are looking to recruit some general Board members to join our team. The commitment is about 1-2 days per month with Board members expected to attend meetings and follow-up on their action points outside of these meetings.

In return, you get to be part of helping us help people across the city and creating the most effective organisation to ensure that everyone can access good food and knows what to do with it.

We are particularly keen to hear from those with experience of fundraising, social enterprise, impact reporting and business planning.

We would love to hear from you if you’d like to play an instrumental part in our organisation. Please submit an application using the form below.

Edinburgh Food Social – Board Member Recruitment Form

We have plenty of catering jobs and community food events and we need Chefs to help us pull them all off.

We are looking for people who can work the occasional day here and there and don’t mind being added to a list of people when we ask when we need extra help for a job. 

We’ve got breakfasts, weddings, canape parties and dinners at community festivals…. 

As much as we want to spend as much money on those most in need as we can we also appreciate that Chefs deserve to be paid for their work too. So, if you’re not in a position to volunteer but still have the capacity to help out with events then please get in touch and we can pay you as a freelance Chef.

Our freelance Chef rate will be from £14.20p/h depending on experience. 

If you’re interested then please email hello@edinburghfoodsocial.org and provide:
– A copy of your hygiene qualifications  

– A reference (or two if you are looking for freelance work) 

– A brief cover letter with information on your cooking experience (or a CV if you’d prefer) 

– Info on any restrictions you have on days/times you could help etc. 

We are also looking for people to staff front of house at our events.

If you like working with people and have the capacity to volunteer or work as a freelance member of waitstaff for us then you can join our pool of people we contact when we have events coming up. Freelance wait staff are paid £12.60p/h. 

We are always trying to make people smile with great food and drinks. Help us improve people’s special days by providing the best front of house experience.

We’re particularly looking for people with their own transport however, this is not essential.

If you’re interested then please get in touch with catering@edinburghfoodsocial.org and:
– Let us know any and all relevant experience 

– Clarify if you’re looking to volunteer or be freelance 

– Info on any restrictions you have on days/times you could help etc.