Job Description

The vacancy
Hours: 12:00 - 14:00, Saturday and Sunday (4hrs per week) Location: Sir William Harpur House, Bedford
Reports to: Catering Services Manager
Looking for a hospitality role that offers structure, purpose, and flexibility to work around studies or other employment? We've got just the thing.
At Sir William Harpur House, we're looking for a Catering Assistant to join our friendly team and support our chefs in delivering a high-quality dining experience for our residents. This role offers a consistent pattern over weekends only - a schedule that allows you to continue with your studies or other employment, while still being part of a rewarding and fast-paced environment. There will be occasional overtime available to boost your income, although this is not mandatory nor guaranteed.
Please note: Unfortunately, due to service needs, the days and times for this role are fixed and not flexible.
What You'll Be Doing:
Assisting chefs with food prep and kitchen duties
Keeping the kitchen and dining areas clean, safe, and well-stocked
Helping reduce food waste and maintain hygiene standards
Contributing to menu ideas based on resident feedback
Ensuring food safety and health regulations are always met
Why This Role Stands Out:
Work-life balance: Enjoy your afternoons and evenings-no late-night shifts!
Stable hours: 12:00 - 14:00, Saturday and Sunday (4hrs per week)
Supportive team: Be part of a kitchen that values collaboration and care
Meaningful impact: Help deliver meals that brighten our residents' days
What We're Looking For:
A team player with a can-do attitude and attention to detail
Someone who takes pride in their work and communicates well
Knowledge of food safety and kitchen equipment (Level 2 Food Hygiene is a plus!)
Experience in catering or hospitality is desirable, but not essential
Our Values: We're proud of what we do and how we do it-putting customers first, working with integrity, and always striving to get things right the first time.
Employee Benefits
We believe in rewarding our team with more than just a paycheque. In addition to a wealth of other benefits and as part of our commitment to your wellbeing and development, we offer:
Cycle to Work Scheme
Retail Discounts
28 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
Professional Development Opportunities
Private Health Care
Employee Assistance Programme
Generous Pension Scheme
Christmas Savings Club
Ready to Cook Up a Career with Us? Apply now and bring your enthusiasm, reliability, and love for food to Sir William Harpur House!
Please note that applications will be reviewed as received and bpha reserves the right to close applications early upon identification of a suitable candidate. Apply early to avoid disappointment!
All offers will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment screening, including DBS check and references.
About us
bpha is a Housing Association located in the Oxford to Cambridge arc, which is committed to providing its customers with high quality, value for money services whilst continuing to develop energy efficient, sustainable and affordable housing.
We are a leading provider and developer of affordable homes - for rent, sheltered, residential care and shared ownership.
We work together with communities - to improve opportunities, independence and quality of life for our residents, and to benefit the wider community. We bring people together, and run and support a wide range of community activities.
All the money we make is used to invest in existing homes, to enable us to build new homes, and to deliver new and improved services.
We own or manage over 19,500 homes and over 500 staff.
Our vision and values
To build communities where people can live happily in a home they can afford.
Our values underpin the work that we do and are ingrained in our culture at bpha. We are looking for people who can share these values and translate them into day-to-day practices for the benefit of our communities, customers and fellow colleagues. So that we can realise our vision, together.
We are ambitious
We are better together
We show empathy
We take responsibility
Benefits
We believe that benefits should be more than just perks. For us, they aren't simply little extras added on at the end, they're fundamental parts of what we stand for, from the very beginning. As standard.
That's why at bpha, we reward our employees by making sure we give them a supportive and caring environment, that empowers them to be happy, healthy and inspired, every day.
Money & Time

• Holiday entitlement of 28-33 days a year, plus public holidays
• Contributory pension scheme
• Competitive pay
• Life assurance cover

Health & Wellbeing

• Private healthcare
• Mental Health First Aid
• Counselling service
• Eye tests
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free annual flu jabs
• Wellbeing activities and events
• Free fruit and refreshments

Recognition

• Long service award
• Annual staff recognition awards
• Discretionary reward scheme

Lifestyle

• Annual volunteering day
• Social events, clubs and activities
• Breakout areas
• Onsite cafe/restaurant at headquarters

Development

• Opportunities for professional training and qualifications
• Workshops and training sessions for new skills
• A fresh and modern eLearning platform

Skills Required