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Welcome
U-turn’s graduate internship positions allow U-turn Graduates to gain open-labour market experience within a specific department or role at U-turn, integrating into the staff team. Unless specifically stated, this position will be for only one year, after which you will need to apply for any position you meet the criteria for, either internal or external to U-turn. Your manager will give you regular feedback on your performance so that you can make timely arrangements for applying for positions before your internship comes to an end.
Although your manager will assist you with transitioning your relationship with U-turn from a service user to a service provider, it is by and large an internal change that needs to happen in your own process. It will require you to draw on all the skills you have been taught in the program to transition successfully. Use every opportunity to help you make this shift.
(Please note: as with all open-labour market positions, if you are still living in a shelter or a Transitional House, you will need to move into independent accommodation within three months of securing an internship position in order to graduate.)
All intern positions require you to continue practicing your own recovery in all aspects.Candidates interested should apply using the online application form: https://connectconsulting.tfaforms.net/646
Kitchen Intern- Claremont Service Centre
Summary
A new position has opened for a Kitchen Intern to join the team at the new Service Centre in Claremont. This is a full-time on-site position and will initially be offered as a one-year contract. He/She will report directly to the Centre Manager.
This position
The candidate should have practical experience working in a commercial kitchen or hospitality environment, including food preparation, food safety compliance, stock control, teamwork, and assisting with the coordination of kitchen staff. Exposure to basic supervisory duties, inventory management, and maintaining efficient kitchen operations is advantageous. The centre provides meals, accessible with a voucher or by engaging in the relevant services. The Kitchen Intern will be responsible for food-stock management, meal-plan development and managing rehab support clients performing cooking duties. He/she will also be responsible for the delivery of the food services along with the rest of the service delivery team.
Background
U-turn is a thriving non-profit that exists to equip homeless people with the skills to overcome homelessness. Founded in 1997, we believe that every homeless individual is intrinsically valuable and should have access to an effective pathway to address their physical, spiritual and emotional needs so they can leave the streets and become a long-term productive member of society.
To help people overcome homelessness we operate a phased approach that includes addiction rehabilitation, counselling, life-skills training and sheltered work placement in one of our social enterprises. Through this process, the programme inculcates a healthy work ethic, furnishes modern job skills and gives 18-24 months of real work experience so that individuals can be gainfully employed in the modern South African economy.
Our graduates enter the open market employment and show an above 85% long term success rate! We are actively working to expand to more locations in Cape Town and across South Africa.
Service Centres
U-turn’s Service Centres provide services to people living on the streets in order to prepare them for and to support them on a journey of change. This includes providing food and clothing (and in some cases access to a shower and a bed for the night), therapeutic and development based interventions, and recovery support for those struggling with addiction. The ultimate aim of the Service Centre is to prepare individuals to participate in our work-based rehabilitation programme.
Work-readiness programme
The work-readiness programme is tasked with providing work-based rehabilitation and skills development training that prepares clients for graduation into employment and reintegration into the community. One day per week, each client attends a training day where they access group therapy delivered by an interdisciplinary team, individual counselling and input using a specially designed curriculum. This cycle of learning and application follows a graded approach and continues for as long as needed (on average 18 months). Case-managers coordinate the entire intervention programme for the clients and work in close-collaboration with the worksite managers.
Key areas of responsibility
- Food Preparation and Service
- Plan, prepare, and cook five nutritious meals daily within budget and according to service delivery schedules.
- Ensure meals are prepared and served on time and to required quality standards.
- Stock Control and Procurement
- Receive, store, and manage all food and kitchen stock in line with food safety requirements.
- Maintain accurate stock records, minimise waste, compile shopping lists, and coordinate the purchase of supplies to supplement donations.
- Kitchen Operations
- Ensure the kitchen operates in compliance with health, safety, hygiene, and food handling standards.
- Maintain adequate storage, equipment, and waste management systems in collaboration with the Service Centre Manager.
- Supervision and Client Support
- Coordinate and supervise clients, volunteers, and programme participants involved in food preparation and kitchen duties.
- Administration and Continuous Improvement
- Maintain accurate records, stock reports, and planning systems.
- Contribute to the development and improvement of kitchen procedures, hygiene protocols, and operational systems.
- General Support
- Assist with Service Centre events and provide general operational support as required.
Experience and Skills
- Experience with and passion for working with homeless individuals
- Experience with cooking nutritious meals with a variety of donated goods
- Experience in managing a kitchen, delegating and supervising tasks
- Food preparation and basic cooking techniques
- Knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards (such as HACCP principles)
- Inventory management and stock control
- Ordering and receiving supplies
- Proper food storage and waste reduction
- Understanding kitchen workflows and station organization
- Equipment operation and basic maintenance
- Menu knowledge and basic costing principles
- Staff Management Skills
Personal attributes
- Passion for U-turn’s mission and values.
- Strong leadership with a collaborative mind-set.
- Empathetic individual who can maintain emotional boundaries and maintain healthy, supportive relationships with extremely marginalised and disenfranchised individuals
- Creative individual with strong problem-solving skills
Organisational Fit (where applicable)
- If in recovery – actively engaged in own ongoing recovery, accessing accountability support and practicing recovery behaviour
- If employed as a Professional – affiliation with professional board, continued personal development and accessing supervision
- Gospel orientation – connected to a local fellowship of believers, reading the Bible and grounded in Gospel-motivated Social Action
Next Steps
Candidates interested in this position should apply online to https://connectconsulting.tfaforms.net/646 You must include a CV and a letter of motivation as part of the application. The letter of motivation should be approximately 1 page in length and include information on why you would like to work at U-turn and how you fulfil the required knowledge skills set outlined above. Please note that applications without a letter of motivation will NOT be considered. IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM US WITHIN 4 WEEKS, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL
Tygerberg Warehouse Intern
Summary
U-turn is looking for Two Interns to join the Tygerberg Warehouse team immediately. Both positions will be a one-year full-time position. They will report directly to the Business Manager.
This position
We are looking for two motivated interns to support our Warehouse Sorting & Stock Operations team. Interns will assist with leading sorting activities, maintaining stock standards, and ensuring donated items are prepared efficiently for retail distribution.
Available Positions:
1. Intern: Bric-a-Brac Sorting
2. Intern: Books & Preloved Smalls Sorting
Background
U-turn is a thriving non-profit that exists to equip homeless people with the skills to overcome homelessness. Founded in 1997, we believe that every homeless individual is intrinsically valuable and should have access to an effective pathway to address their physical, spiritual and emotional needs so they can leave the streets and become a long-term productive member of society.
To help people overcome homelessness we operate a phased approach that includes addiction rehabilitation, counselling, life-skills training and sheltered work placement in one of our social enterprises. Through this process, the programme inculcates a healthy work ethic, furnishes modern job skills and gives 18-24 months of real work experience so that individuals can be gainfully employed in the modern South African economy.
Our graduates enter the open market employment and show an above 85% long term success rate! We are actively working to expand to more locations in Cape Town and across South Africa.
Social Enterprises
Actual work-experience largely takes place within our social enterprises. U-turn’s social enterprises comprise an extensive retail network connected to our Charity Stores as well as other companies owned by, or in partnership with, U-turn.
Key areas of responsibility
- Team Leadership & Daily Operations
- Lead and support the assigned sorting team to ensure smooth daily operations.
- Coordinate workflows, allocate sorting tasks, and support team productivity.
- Provide guidance, training, and encouragement to team members.
- Monitor progress and report challenges or operational needs to the Supervisor and Manager of the Tygerberg Warehouse.
- Sorting, Stock Management & Quality Control
- Sort, categorise, and prepare donated items according to warehouse procedures.
- Ensure items are assessed for quality, presentation, and suitability for retail distribution.
- Maintain accurate organisation of stock and storage areas.
- Ensure stock is labelled, packed, and stored correctly.
- Maintain clean, safe, and organised workspaces.
- General Warehouse Standards
- Follow warehouse operating procedures and safety standards.
- Contribute to an efficient and positive working environment.
- Uphold quality standards that support our retail operations and mission.
Experience and Skills
- A collaborative team player – concerned with the team’s success as well as individual performance
- Emotionally mature individuals who are not easily flustered.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Good communication and problem-solving skills.
Personal attributes
- Passion for U-turn’s mission and values.
- Strong leadership with a collaborative mind-set.
- Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Organisational Fit (where applicable)
- If in recovery – actively engaged in own ongoing recovery, accessing accountability support and practicing recovery behaviour
- If employed as a Professional – affiliation with professional board, continued personal development and accessing supervision
- Gospel orientation – connected to a local fellowship of believers, reading the Bible and grounded in Gospel-motivated Social Action
Next Steps
Candidates interested in this position should apply online to https://connectconsulting.tfaforms.net/646 You must include a CV and a letter of motivation as part of the application. The letter of motivation should be approximately 1 page in length and include information on why you would like to work at U-turn and how you fulfil the required knowledge skills set outlined above. Please note that applications without a letter of motivation will NOT be considered. IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM US WITHIN 4 WEEKS, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL