Village Pantry Host

Village Pantry Host

Posted for Vital Village CIC (CSVA)

Posted by Central Surrey Voluntary Action

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Central Surrey Voluntary Action website to express your interest.

Vital Village is a community hub based in Thames Ditton, bringing people together through practical support, activities and shared spaces.

We work with families, individuals and local partners to create a welcoming place where people can connect, feel supported and access everyday essentials with dignity.

From food and reuse initiatives to well-being activities and community events, Vital Village exists to strengthen the local community and respond to real needs as they emerge.

The Village Pantry will be a welcoming, community-led space offering surplus food, refills and local products with dignity and care.

The Pantry is open to everyone, and volunteers play a vital role in making it a supportive, fair and respectful place.

What this role involves:

• Welcoming people into The Village Pantry and helping create a friendly, inclusive atmosphere

• Explaining how the Pantry works and answering questions clearly and kindly

• Supporting people to choose items within agreed guidance so the offer remains fair for all

• Assisting with refill stations for dry goods and liquids

• Using the point of sale (POS) system to put refills and local products through the till (full training provided)

• Supporting people who may feel unsure or anxious when accessing the Pantry

• Keeping the space clean, calm and welcoming during sessions

All volunteers will receive:

• A full Pantry induction

• Food safety training

• Training on the point of sale (POS) system

• Guidance on dignity-led support, inclusion and boundaries

• Safeguarding awareness (with enhanced training for Shift Leads)

• Ongoing support from the Vital Village team

Our aim is for The Village Pantry to feel welcoming, respectful and community-led — and for volunteering to feel supported, valued and well-organised.

What skills do I need?

This role is ideal for you if you

• Enjoy interacting with people and putting others at ease

• Are patient, calm and non-judgemental

• Are happy following guidance and using simple systems once trained

Time commitment • Typically 2–3 hour shifts during opening hours