Catering Assistant

Willen Hospice; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Subsidised catering

Blue Light Card discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Annual leave 35+ days

Job summary

Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes is seeking a Catering Assistant to join the Catering Team. You will serve customers, take orders for hot and cold drinks, and assist with basic food preparation such as sandwiches, salads, and cakes.

You will also clear and wash utensils, handle payments, and uphold hygiene standards. A food hygiene Level 1 is desirable, with full training provided. This is a part-time role on a rolling 4-week rota including alternate weekends.

Qualifications

• Excellent customer service skills and a flexible approach.
• Experience in catering or front-of-house environment.
• Food hygiene level 1 desirable; full training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Serve customers and take hot and cold drink orders.
• Assist in basic food preparation (sandwiches, salads, cakes).
• Clear and wash kitchen utensils; load/unload dishwasher.
• Take payment for food and maintain kitchen hygiene.

Skills

Customer service

Flexibility

Front-of-house experience

Education

Food Hygiene Level 1 (Desirable)

Job description

Location: Willen Hospice, Milton Keynes

Salary: £23,233.31 - £26,286.35, pro rata per annum (actual annual salary for hours worked £10,620.94 - £12,016.62) plus a 10% shift allowance

Working pattern: 16 hours per week on a rolling 4-week rota including alternate weekends

Closing date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Job Summary

An exciting new opportunity has arisen for a Catering Assistant to join our Catering Team.

As a Catering Assistant you will serve customers taking hot and cold drinks orders, you will assist in carrying out basic food preparation tasks as requested including high risk food production such as sandwiches, salads and fresh cakes.

Duties will also include clearing and washing kitchen utensils, loading and unloading dishwasher as required, taking payment for food and ensuring kitchen hygiene and cleanliness standards are maintained.

The successful candidate will have excellent customer service skills with a can do and flexible approach with experience of working in a catering/front of house environment. A food hygiene level 1 certificate would be desirable, however full training will be provided.

Job Profile Job Profile document

About the organisation

Set in the tranquil grounds of Willen Lake, Willen Hospice is the leading provider of specialist palliative care in the Milton Keynes area. We offer round-the-clock, expert care to local patients with a life-limiting illness, both in their own homes and in our In-Patient Unit. Our passionate staff and volunteers make sure our care is personalised to each patient’s needs and supports their loved ones too. We have a thriving Therapeutic & Wellbeing service providing counselling, physiotherapy, activity groups and more, and a specialist Lymphoedema service. As a registered charity, we raise vital funds through our dedicated Income Generation team and our growing portfolio of high street and online shops, to ensure our care stays free of charge.

• A role with purpose - be part of a team delivering outstanding palliative care.
• Supportive and caring environment - work with passionate colleagues.
• Great benefits package - generous annual leave entitlement starting at 35 days (inclusive of statutory and bank holidays), contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity/sick pay, and ongoing professional development.
• Perks and extras - free on-site parking, subsidised catering, Blue Light Card discounts (with membership), and an Employee Assistance Programme.