+ Where do I go?

Getting to us

• We are based in Calais 10 mins. drive from the center of Calais and 30 mins. drive from Grande Synthe/ Dunkirk.
• Please email us info@refugeecommunitykitchen.org for locations.

Transport

• Please arrange and book your own travel/ transport to and from Calais.

BlaBlaCar is a popular lift sharing website. We recommend that you travel in pairs for safety sake

Lift Share group on FB

• There is a whatsapp notice group for lift information to many parts of Europe that you can join when you arrive.

+ Where can I stay?

Accommodation

• Volunteers are expected to arrange & fund their own accommodation.
• It is recommended that you arrange your accommodation before arriving.
• We have some accommdoation for volunteers, we prirotise returning volunteers and volunteers staying for longer periods, you can ask for further information when you register
• This accommodation if for people who are over 21 only
• There is a weekly financial contribution required for RCK accommodation depending on the length of your stay. You can request more information once you register.

Local house shares in Calais

• The are many local hosts that offer accomodation for volunteers.
• Please email info@refugeecommunitykitchen.org for details.

Youth Hostel & Camping

• Calais' Youth Hostel

• Dunkirk http://www.les-palominos.com/

Can I sleep in the camps or in the warehouse?

• No, staying in the camps overnight as a volunteer would be highly inappropriate and a risk to your own health and safety.
• There is no camping or live in vehicles permitted in and around the warehouse.

Can I sleep in my live in vehicle on the streets of Calais?

• We do not recommend sleeping in your cars and vans in Calais or around the warehouse there have been incidents and it is not safe.

+ What are the kitchen opening times?

The Kitchen opens at 9am - approx. 7pm

• There is always lots of washing up to get on, with first thing!
• Our food distributions leave the warehouse most days between 12pm & 5pm
• The Kitchen clean down is between 3pm & 6pm and is the hardest part of the day & when we need all hands on deck.
• So if possible please plan your visit to leave after that!

*For more information on the daily running of the kitchen click this link

+ Where do I go when I arrive?

Registration

• When you arrive at the warehouse make your way to the RCK office or into the kitchen to register, talks to anyone in the team who will guide you to the ground manager or a coordinator.
• You will be booked in for an induction with the Welcome team as soon as possible after you arrive.
• There will also be a morning briefing in the kitchen mid-morning
• There are communication WhatsApp groups for impostant daily messages - please see that you are added as soon as possible.

What we do

• RCK delivers hot food to Displaced people in Calais and Grand Synthe/ Dunkirk.
• Refugee Community Kitchen works alongside and collaboratively with L‘Auberge des Migrants and other grassroots projects, we are FULLY self sufficient whilst working in the warehouse which includes the use of building materials, tools, food, volunteers and resources.
• Our aim is to be fully supportive of all the displaced people in Calais and other organisations helping in the context.
• For more information on the daily running of the kitchen click this link

Meetings

• RCK holds regular meetings to share information, feelings, problems and create rotas
• You must be willing to participate in meetings and share information respectfully with others if you wish to volunteer with ‘Refugee Community Kitchen’

Food Distributions

• RCK goes out on food distribution 2 to 3 times a day depending on the situation on the ground.

+ Can I go on food distribution

• Volunteers must be over 18 and be carrying valid photo ID to go on distribution.

• Volunteers are NOT encouraged to request go out on distribution on the day they arrive in the kicthen and we highly recommend that everyone manages their expectations regarding being able to join a food distribution while they volunteer- it is not always possible.

• Volunteers must feel confident and well informed to go on distribution before going.

What should I wear on food distribution?

• We ask you to be sensitive to the cultural differences whilst on distribution and wear sensible clothing.
• No bare legs and revealing tops please!

+ Who can I ask for help in the Kitchen or warehouse?

General Questions:

• Whist with us you can direct all your questions and needs to the welcome & management team or prep area lead in the kitchen.
• Please remember to be patient and courteous as everyone working in the kitchen is a volunteer

+ What should I wear in the warehouse & kitchen?

What to bring:

• In the kitchen we wear chefs clothes, sensible shoes at all times and gloves when handling salad and meat.
• Hair tied up and back.
• The weather is very changeable in Calais so best to come prepared.
• In the cold weather months it can get very cold inside the warehouse as well as outside
• We recommend you wear many layers, have windproof and waterproof jackets, and warm, comfortable waterproof boots, (wellies are not recommended)
• you can see more about what to bring and daily tasks in this link
• A bum-bag for personal belongings and identification documents is recommended.

+ Is there food supplied for volunteers in the kitchen?

• Lunch will be served for all volunteers at the L’Auberge warehouse.
• We encourage volunteers not to rely on eating from the hot food distribution on distributions as we will prioritise the people we serve at all times.
• If you do need to eat at distribution, please wait until all our beneficiairs have been served.
• There is a well stocked tea and coffee area to help yourslef to in the warehouse
• You will be responsible for getting your own breakfast and dinner but there is a handy supermarket right next door.

+ Can I drive when I volunteer?

Driving for RCK

• We use various vans to drive to food distribution, delivering aid to distribution and buying bulk vegetables and food shopping.
• We always need volunteers that can drive, you need to be over 21 and have a clean licence.
• If you are a competent driver with a clean licence please communicate with the team on the ground who will arange a test drive & get you signed up on the insurance.
• If you have a liscenc to drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonns (C1) please let someone know when you arrive

+ Can I bring my own vehicle?

Bringing your own vehicle and parking

• If you have a vehicle with any amount of storage space it can be useful to bring with you. Cars and vans are often needed to move people and food around.
• Please park your personal vehicles in the FREE supermarket carpark next door to the warhouse. We do not advise parking on the public road outside the warehouse, there have been incidents wher cars have been damaged. Don’t bring it if you don't want to get it muddy!

+ Looking after myself, what else I need to know?

Looking after yourself in Calais:

• The importance of looking after yourself and your basic needs is paramount, you will be provided with food and information while you are volunteering, however it is important that you be mindful of your own situation, your personal needs, your feelings and the feelings of others you are volunteering with.
• Voluntary work of this nature can leave volunteers heavily out of pocket, traumatised and exhausted, please do not take coming to volunteer lightly although huge efforts are made for the experience to be engaging and fun. We are working within a humanitarian crisis.
• If you are experiencing any personal problems at home or have recently experienced death or trauma in your family. please reconsider coming to volunteer. We do not have the capacity to support you during this time.
• There are many volunteers that have been in Calais for many months and can seem busy or unaccessible by joining in at weekly meetings and asking questions you can easily get to know the other volunteers and also take time to listen to stories and help out where you can.

Healthcare:

• Please make sur you are informed about European Health Cover before you travel.
• Travel insurance may not cover you if you are volunteering and its is advised that you obtain the correct travel insurance prior to travel)

Insurance

Refugee Community Kitchen strongly advises all volunteers to take out comprehensive medical & travel insurance before coming to volunteer.

Security at the warehouse:

• we recommend you take care of your belongings during the day,
• keep your passport on your person.
• And if you cherish something deeply and it is not replaceable best not not bring it.

Alcohol And Drugs

• Alcohol and drug use is not permitted anywhere in the warehouse or the Kitchen, they are both professional working environments.
• We run a very happy dry kitchen.

Politics and Political Agendas

• Refugee Community Kitchen is not here to address any other agenda apart from that of providing solidarity with refugees transiting Europe in particular at the Calais border. While we may decide to take actions which might be considered to be of a political nature regarding refugee rights etc we will discuss these at meetings and will not tolerate political or personal agendas exercised unilaterally by any volunteers and those who do so may be asked to leave.
• Discrimination relating to any identity group of any type of status you can think of will not be tolerated.
• Ideas about constructive actions that could be taken, will be welcomed without judgement at meetings for open discussion.

+ What do I do if I want to stay for a month or longer?

Long term Volunteering: (Only applicable to over 21 year olds)

• If you are over 21 years old and planning to stay for over 4 weeks ,it may be possible for you to be accommodated by us with other long term volunteers.
• After this initial period you can applly for accommodation which assess case by case basis and dependent on availbilty and assesmnet of fufilling the longterm volunteer criteria.
• Please do not turn up at the warehouse with the intention of staying for a long period without pre-arranged accommodation, this puts a huge strain on the volunteers already here who would love to find accommodation for you but cannot.
• If you are planning to come and be a long term volunteer or have any questions about coming for an extended period of time, please get in touch via email. info@refugeecommunitykitchen.org

+ Can I take photos?

Social media and Photos:

• We rely heavily on social media for information sharing and fundraising and will use photos of the kitchen & distributions but only with consent.
• In the kitchen please make sure that when you are taking photos that it is OK with the volunteers and get permission to share on social media.
• Taking and sharing photos of the people we serve is not permitted. It is not dignified to photograph people while they are eating and can compromise their safety.

+ Can I bring donations?

Food donations

• Donations are very welcomed, the kitchens survive entirely on money and food given by others.
• If you are bringing a large collection of food (in a truck or many vans), please let us know when you are coming by emailing info@refugeecommunitykitchen.org.
• You can check with us near to when you are planning to come, for an updated list of what is most needed that week. What is most needed now? you can see the current list of needs here.

Cash donations

• You can bring cash donations to the kitchen. please ask for the prep area manager or the head chef and you will be guided.
• You can also shop locally in bulk while you here in the local Metro cash and carry.
• Or you can donate to our fundraiser and if you are a British Taxpayer you can choose to increase your donation by 25% added by the UK government by clicking the gift aid option.