Cafe Assistant

The Wild Olive Tree
VO103657

The Wild Olive Tree is a non-profit social enterprise cafe supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community. We provide work placements for individuals facing barriers to employment and offer free meals and drinks to anyone who can’t afford to pay.

Located inside the beautiful St. George’s Tron Church on bustling Buchanan Street, right in the heart of Glasgow, we’re a warm and welcoming hub for people from all walks of life. We’re open Monday to Saturday, serving up delicious homemade soups, scones, cakes, and speciaity coffee.

We’re currently looking for enthusiastic, friendly, and reliable people to join our amazing team—serving both our paying customers and those who rely on a free meal.

Our cafe is a busy, fast-paced environment, especially during lunchtime. It’s important to us—and for our volunteers—that you feel comfortable working on your feet for extended periods and can keep up with the pace when things get hectic. In return, you’ll be part of a supportive and passionate team.

We especially need extra support during our peak hours (12 noon – 3pm), Monday to Saturday.

Purpose: Assist in running the café, particularly during busy lunchtime periods. A friendly, welcoming presence is key—no previous experience required .

Responsibilities:

Serving customers
Helping with food/drink prep and clearing tables
Engaging positively with visitors and those using the caf&eacute;&rsquo;s free services
Commitment &amp; Hours: Typically 3&ndash;9 hours per week, including Friday or weekend shifts to support tourist season demand.
Team Environment: Work alongside paid staff, volunteers, and trainees in a supportive, energetic social enterprise environment.

Volunteer Support at The Wild Olive Tree Café

Induction &amp; Training: Full guidance on caf&eacute; tasks; no experience needed.
Buddy System: Paired with experienced team members to help you settle in.
On-Shift Supervision: Staff available for support and feedback.
Expenses Covered: Travel reimbursed; free meals and drinks on shift.
Flexible Hours: Shifts arranged to suit your availability.
Inclusive Environment: Welcoming to all backgrounds and abilities.

Why Volunteer Here?

Support local community &amp; vulnerable people: Contribute to a caf&eacute; that offers free meals and work placements.
Gain hands-on caf&eacute; experience: Ideal for those exploring hospitality or customer service.
Be part of a social enterprise: Work in an organization with strong community values and positive impact.

If you are interested please click the ‘Apply’ button below (available when logged in and registered). You will then be contacted by the coordinator by email or phone call. If you have not heard back after 5 working days, the first step is to contact the organisation with the contact details provided. You could also check your junk/spam folder on your emails just in case the response is there. If that doesn’t work out then please feel free to contact Volunteer Glasgow on info@volunteerglasgow.org

Experience required

No formal qualifications needed. Friendliness and confidence to meet and greet new people. Ability to work in a fast paced environment. Enthusiasm!

Travel details

Any public transport that takes you to the city centre - Buchanan St subway is the closest underground station, Glasgow Queen St. (train) is a 3-5 minute walk, and Glasgow Central Station (train) is a 5-8 minute walk away. We reimburse any money spent on public transport.

Travel expenses

We will pay your travel expenses. You are entitled to a free hot meal and free hot drinks whilst on shift, also a 25% discount on baked goods soft drinks.

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