Who Are We?

Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre has been around for more than 40 years helping to bring people together via programs which encourage connection, participation, and learning. BNC houses Our Kitchen Social Enterprise, a commercial kitchen where job seekers and vulnerable people gain training in the hospitality industry. The resources they work with are rescued, donated, or grown on site, and the meals they produce are shared with the community via food access partners or at large sit-down community lunches. For some patrons, these lunches are their only social events or opportunities to eat out.

The Opportunity

As a volunteer in Our Kitchen, you'll be helping isolated people to enjoy a hearty and affordable meal in a welcoming community setting, or supporting the Salvation Army or Soup Bus to provide much needed free food to vulnerable people. You'll also be helping the continued delivery of these vital learning programs for people needing a leg up.

Our volunteers support this service in varied hospitality roles including setup, pack down, preparation and serving, and guest interaction. But, you don't need to have hospo experience! You'll be guided and supported throughout the process.

What's in it for you?

• You’ll be making a genuine difference to vulnerable members of the community, which feels really good.
• You’ll meet some pretty amazing people who are doing big things in their lives.
• You’ll have fun - our chef does a fantastic job of pulling a team together and the kitchen is a warm, welcoming, and friendly environment where there are plenty of laughs to be had.
• You’ll get real, hand-on hospitality experience as well as transferable employment skills, if you’re looking for a job this looks great on your resume.
• You’ll be helping our often-isolated lunch goers to enjoy a social outing and a cheap but hearty meal, or supporting amazing community partners.
• You’ll become part of the BNC family and can access any of the other services, programs, and opportunities on offer here.
• You’ll get fed, really well!