Help Us Move Our Central Storage Unit

This year marks an exciting new chapter for Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance as we prepare to move our Central Storage Unit (CSU) to a larger premises.

Our CSU is the heart of our operations. This is where all donated food is received, sorted, date-checked and stored before being distributed to our network of community food partners. Each week our partners place orders which are picked and prepared by our team ready for volunteers to collect and take back into the community.

As demand for our support continues to grow, we need a larger space that allows us to expand our services and introduce new projects. To make this possible, we are inviting corporate volunteer teams to help us with the move.

There will be a number of volunteering opportunities across several stages of the move, from packing up the current unit to setting up our new space.

Packing Up the Central Storage Unit

Before we move, we need teams of volunteers to help carefully pack up the current CSU so everything can be transported safely to the new building.

Volunteer roles include:

• Packing food items and supplies into labelled boxes
• Organising stock so it can be easily relocated
• Preparing shelving areas for dismantling
• Supporting the team to ensure items are safely packed and stored
• This is a great hands-on team activity that directly supports the smooth transition to our new premises.
• Team size: 8–12 volunteers
• Location: Current Central Storage Unit (Derby)
• Dates: Various dates – to be confirmed​​​​

Taking Down Warehouse Shelving

Our CSU currently contains a large amount of shelving used to store food and supplies. We are looking for volunteers to help dismantle and prepare these units for relocation. We believe this role would be better suited to a company that does this and we could work together and this be part of your corporate responsibility. 

Volunteer roles include:

• Carefully dismantling shelving units
• Organising and stacking shelving components
• Preparing equipment for safe transport
• This role is ideal for teams who enjoy practical, physical tasks and working together.
• Team size: 5–10 volunteers
• Location: Current Central Storage Unit (Derby)
• Dates: Various dates – to be confirmed

Clearing & Cleaning the Current CSU

Once the building has been emptied, we will need volunteers to help give the space a thorough clean.

Volunteer roles include:

• Sweeping and cleaning floors
• Wiping down surfaces and remaining fixtures
• Removing any leftover packaging or materials
• Preparing the unit ready for handover
• Team size: 8–10 volunteers
• Location: Current Central Storage Unit (Derby)
• Dates: To be confirmed

Preparing the New Central Storage Unit

Once we secure our new premises, we will need volunteers to help us prepare the building ready for operations.

Volunteer roles include:

• General cleaning of the building
• Preparing areas for shelving and storage
• Helping organise different sections of the warehouse
• This stage is essential to ensure the building is ready for equipment, stock and projects to move in.
• Team size: 8–12 volunteers
• Location: New CSU – location to be confirmed
• Dates: To be confirmed

Warehouse Layout & Logistics Planning (Skilled Role)

We are looking for individuals with warehouse, logistics or storage planning experience who can help us design the most effective layout for our new CSU.

This role will help ensure the space flows well and allows our team and volunteers to work efficiently.

Areas that need to be incorporated include:

• Ambient food storage
• Surplus food section (new)
• Frozen and chilled food storage (new)
• Furniture & Electrical Project
• Electrical testing station for PAT testing
• Washing machine testing area
• Clothing project
• Give a Gift project (new)
• Additional support equipment such as heated blankets and air fryers
• Team size: Small specialist team (3–5 people
• Location: New CSU – location to be confirmed
• Dates: To be confirmed

If you or someone in your organisation has experience planning warehouse layouts or logistics systems, we would love to hear from you.

Installing Shelving & Setting Up Storage

Once the layout has been finalised, we will need volunteers to help install shelving and prepare storage areas.

Volunteer roles include:

• Building and installing shelving units
• Positioning shelving in the correct areas
• Preparing sections ready for stock
• Team size: 10–15 volunteers
• Location: New CSU – location to be confirmed
• Dates: To be confirmed

Restocking the New CSU

Once everything is in place, we will need teams to help move stock into the new building and organise it on the shelves

Volunteer roles include:

• Moving boxes and supplies into the new CSU
• Stacking food and items in the correct areas
• Organising stock so it is ready for partner orders
• Supporting the team to ensure everything is clearly labelled and accessible
• Team size: 10–15 volunteers
• Location: New CSU – location to be confirmed
• Dates: To be confirmed

Moving Furniture & Electrical Project Items

Our Furniture & Electrical Project supports families in need with essential household items. As part of the move, we will need volunteers to help relocate furniture and electrical items from our current storage locations to the new CSU.

Volunteer roles include:

• Moving furniture items
• Transporting electrical appliances
• Organising stock in the new warehouse areas
• Team size: 8–12 volunteers
• Location: Various locations – details confirmed when booking
• Dates: To be confirmed

How to Get Involved

If your organisation would like to support us with this exciting move, please register your interest via our Corporate Volunteering Form.

Once dates are confirmed, a member of our team will contact you with further details and available sessions.

Your support will help us create a space that allows us to support even more people across Derby.

Corporate volunteers needed to help us create a bigger space to support more people across Derby.