Volunteer Youth Mentor

About us

Rourou Kai Ora is a charity based out of Newlands college providing wholefood, plant-based meals for people living with health conditions and nutritional needs. We offer delicious, healthy, tailored meals made by teen chefs for those facing illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other nutritionally sensitive medical conditions.

At the heart of Rourou Kai Ora is a group of local rangatahi who volunteer alongside experienced adults to prepare meals for members of their community. We mentor teens to learn about cooking and eating healthy foods and about their power to make a difference. 

We have just turned one and have grown into a thriving community organisation, delivering more than 2,500 meals to local people. We are looking to expand our team of dedicated volunteers to support the continued growth and impact of our charity. 

Rourou Kai Ora is looking for caring, grounded adults to join our team as Volunteer Youth Mentors.

Our programme is about more than food. It is also about confidence, leadership, teamwork, and creating a space where rangatahi can contribute in meaningful ways.

As a Volunteer Youth Mentor, you’ll support our Teen Chefs during after-school kitchen sessions at Newlands College. You’ll help create a welcoming, inclusive, and encouraging environment, while working alongside rangatahi as they cook, learn, and grow.

This is a great role for someone who enjoys working with youth, values community, and wants to be part of a practical, purpose-driven programme.

What you’ll do

• Support Teen Chefs during after-school kitchen sessions
• Help create a safe, calm, positive, and inclusive environment
• Encourage confidence, teamwork, leadership, and practical life skills in young people
• Work alongside staff and volunteers to help sessions run smoothly
• Assist with practical kitchen tasks such as food prep, cooking, cleaning, and packing meals
• Model calm, respectful, reliable adult support

We’re looking for someone who

• Enjoys working with young people
• Brings warmth, patience, and good judgement
• Is comfortable pitching in with practical tasks
• Values care, connection, dignity, and community wellbeing
• Can work collaboratively as part of a team
• Is reliable and able to commit regularly where possible

It would be a bonus if you have

• Experience working with youth, whether professionally or informally
• Kitchen, cooking, mentoring, teaching, coaching, or community experience
• An interest in healthy food, community wellbeing, or food as healthcare

Why volunteer with us?

• Be part of a practical, community-led response that uses food as healthcare
• Support Teen Chefs to build confidence, skills, and connection
• Join a warm and committed team
• Learn more about food as medicine, healthy eating and cooking
• Help make a real difference for people in our community

If this sounds like a good fit for you, we’d love to hear from you!

Please email [email protected] with a few lines about yourself, any relevant experience, and why you’re interested in the role. You’re also welcome to include a CV if you have one.