You’ll need to fill out the registration form as an Individual Volunteer. Once you’ve completed that, please submit a copy of your DBS to our Volunteer Coordinator. When they’ve confirmed your details, checked your references and approved your application, you’ll receive access to our online rota system. From there, you can sign yourself up for days that fit your schedule. This normally takes about three weeks.
Yes, our minimum age to volunteer is 18. We don’t currently allow children to volunteer, but we’re working to implement a program, so check back soon.
Once you’ve applied and been accepted as a volunteer, you can sign yourself up to volunteer on days that fit your schedule. Whether you come once or once a week, there’s no minimum amount of time to spend with us.
For our morning sessions, volunteer hours are 09:00 – 13:00. For our evening sessions, volunteer hours are 17:00 – 19:30.
No, there is never a financial cost to volunteer.
Health and safety require that all volunteers wear closed-toe shoes with nonslip soles & full-length trousers. We’ll provide a hairnet, food-safe gloves and an apron.
Absolutely. We have many different roles and different ways to help.
No, our facility in central London is currently our only location.
Upon arrival, you’ll be assigned a station in our kitchen or our ‘Cabin’, where we serve our guests. You can expect to do things such as chop fruit and vegetables, cook, prepare hot drinks, serve our guests and clean under the guidance of our staff.
We’re located at 79a Tottenham Court Road, near Goodge Street station. Volunteers and guests can access the Soup Kitchen via our rear entrance, directly across from 55 Whitfield Street.
Upon arrival, you’ll receive specific instructions on what your responsibilities are and be supervised by a member of our team.
For in-person morning and evening volunteering, we offer companies the opportunity to send two people per shift per day. For larger groups, we offer Street Outreach, the Sleepout and our Thames Trek.
In addition to financial support, many of our corporate partners have regular volunteer slots with us. For example, Company A sends two people twice per month on pre-arranged days.
No, there is never a fee to volunteer. However, for activities such as Street Outreach, we may ask you to bring food and clothing to distribute
Yes, our Sleepout and Thames Trek are fantastic teambuilders.
Yes, however, we need to know specific allergen information and that the food has been stored and transported according to the standards of the FSA.
Although we are located within the American International Church, we are a fully independent, secular organisation registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The American International Church serve as our landlord and is the most significant contributor to our work due to the space they provide.
We are an entirely privately funded organisation and rely on a combination of grants, trusts and other donations to operate daily.
Yes, we maintain active insurance, which covers our activities.
Yes, we have risk assessments which cover our activities.
We do not require volunteers representing companies to submit a DBS.
From cleaning products to cups to drinks, there’s always something we need. Please reach out and ask us.
Upon arrival, you’ll receive specific instructions on what your responsibilities are and be supervised by a member of our staff.
For requests to get your company involved and more information, please email csr@soupkitchenlondon.org
Yes, depending on availability and timings, we’re more than happy to attend a meeting, whether in person or virtually.
For safety and hygiene reasons, we can only accept commercially prepared and packaged food items.
No, we’re not able to accept food that has passed its use-by date.
We’ve created a list under Donate Food, which will give you some guidance on our most needed food staples.
Yes. Anything on our food or supplies wish list can be sent directly to us at Soup Kitchen London, 79a Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 4TD.
Our guests have a range of dietary requirements, so we serve a range of food, including vegan and vegetarian meals.
Absolutely. Please have a look at the Donate Food link on our website for more information about our most needed items.
Yes, we welcome bulk donations. Please contact our team to discuss logistics and coordinate large-scale contributions.
Yes. From cleaning products to cups to food trays, there’s always something we need. Please reach out and ask us.
Yes. We accept donations of new and gently used, clean clothing and shoes. Items such as underwear and socks must be new.
Yes. We accept donations of new and unopened toiletries. Travel sizes are best as they’re easier for our friends to carry around.
There are a number of ways to donate, including secure links to contribute on our website electronically. We also accept cheques and bank transfers, so please get in touch for more information on our banking details.
Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows us to reclaim the basic rate tax you pay as a UK taxpayer. It means that the Soup Kitchen can claim 25p of tax for every £1 you donate at no extra cost to you. Please check the gov.uk website for more information.
Yes. As a donor, you can decide how your money is spent. Whether you designate your contribution towards general running costs or things like food or mental health support, just let us know.
79A Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T4TD, England
1209 Orange Street Wilmington, Delaware 19801, USA
Registered United Kingdom Charity: ‘Whitefield Charity SK Corporation’ 1051770
Registered United States 501(c)(3) Organisation: ‘Whitefield Charity SK Corporation’
Soup Kitchen London © 2023
