Summary

U-turn is a leading organisation in developing pathways out of homelessness. We are looking for a Kitchen Cook to join the team at the new Service Centre in Linden from 1 September 2025. This position will initially be 5 hours per day , with the option of extending to 8 hours as the need grows.

This position:
The cook will be responsible for cooking 3 meals per day for clients accessing the centre with a voucher and/or engaging in the activity groups. He/she will be responsible for managing the kitchen in all aspects including hygiene and health and safety requirements as well as stock management.

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 Centers
U-turn’s Service Centres provide services to people living on the streets 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.

Key areas of responsibility

• Manage the kitchen and food stock according health and safety regulations
• Cook 3 meals per day
• Supervise clients and/or volunteers performing duties as part of food preparation
• Keep a stock inventory and ensure minicam waste of stock
• As the need arises, assist what development work with a specific group of clients attending under the therapeutic oversight of the OT.
• Use and contribute to existing planning and record keeping systems to ensure
  continuous improvement of your areas of responsibility.

Personal Attributes

• Passion for U-turn’s mission and values.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Empathetic individual that 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 at https://homeless.org.za/career-form
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 fulfill 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

Summary

U-turn is a leading organization in developing pathways out of homelessness. We are looking for an
Intern for the Landscape and Maintenance division to join the Landscaping team in Claremont from 01 August 2025. This is a full-time on-site position and will initially be offered as a one-year
contract.

This position:
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented intern to support our warehouse and e-commerce operations. This provides exposure to physical inventory management as well as the digital aspects of online retail. The intern will assist in streamlining the movement of goods and enhancing the customer experience through accurate product handling and efficient online store support.

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 Centers
U-turn’s Service Centres provide services to people living on the streets 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 provides work-based rehabilitation and skills development training to prepare clients for integration into employment and 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 continues for as long as needed (average 18 months). Case managers coordinate the intervention programme for the clients and work in close collaboration with the worksite managers.

Transitional Accommodation
We run transitional accommodation enabling clients on Work-readiness to move into group homes
when leaving homeless shelters. These homes are managed by a house-manager who, along with therapeutic staff and worksite managers, assists clients along the full Life Change journey.

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.

KAR’s

• Landscape Services. Take an active part in landscaping and maintaining client’s gardens. This includes tasks like composting, planting, fertilizing, pruning, sweeping, raking, etc..
• Machine Operator – Lawns. Be able to operate and maintain the machines (weed eater & lawn mower).
• Stock & Inventory. Assist the Foreman with:

– checking, cleaning & counting the tools.
– Counting the retail stock levels of potting soil, compost, lawn dressing, etc.
-Communicating and recording stock used on landscaping sites. E.g., 5 bags of compost & 2 bags of potting soil used on site, 3 bags of compost came back to the yard.

• Customer Service. We are working in private residences requiring the intern to be polite, helpful & friendly towards our clients. This contributes to building a positive reputation for Living Roots.
• Communication. As an intern, we require you are required to work closely with Management to understand instructions and the work site brief. Be able to carry out those instructions and communicate well to resolve or refer to any issues that might come up.
• Team Work. Be able to work well within a team, support and encourage other team members

Experience and Skills

• Knowledge of machine operation.
• Basic stock taking experience
• Basic landscaping experience
• Maintenance

Personal Attributes

• Passion for U-turn’s mission and values.
• Strong leadership with a collaborative mindset.
• 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 at https://homeless.org.za/career-form
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 fulfill 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

Summary

U-turn Helderberg is looking for a peer worker to join their Strand Service Center team immediately. The peer-worker position is a one-year full-time internship position, and will require the successful candidate to assist with service delivery, run groups, and conduct individual baseline assessments.
They will report directly to the centre manager and work alongside the social worker. They will also be required to commit to ongoing learning. This is a great opportunity to experience client-facing
work, as you also continue investing in yourself

This position:
Peer Workers’ strength and specialty in scope is that they have lived experience of homelessness and/or being in recovery, and have completed the U-turn Life Change Journey. They form part of the Interdisciplinary team based at Service Centres, coming alongside clients, helping build out their motivation for change, and assisting with accessing services.

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 Centers
U-turn’s Service Centres provide services to people living on the streets 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 provides work-based rehabilitation and skills development training to prepare clients for integration into employment and 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 continues for as long as needed (average 18 months). Case managers coordinate the intervention programme for the clients and work in close collaboration with the worksite managers.

Transitional Accommodation
We run transitional accommodation enabling clients on Work-readiness to move into group homes
when leaving homeless shelters. These homes are managed by a house-manager who, along with therapeutic staff and worksite managers, assists clients along the full Life Change journey.

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.

KAR’s

• Lead outreaches to homeless individuals on the street, encouraging them that change is
  possible.
• Form supportive and accountable relationships with homeless individuals, referring them to relevant services within U-turn.
• Empty public waste bins and replace liners as needed.
• Assist with service delivery at the service centre, purposefully engaging those on the earlier phases of the journey.
• Run an Ignite session under the guidance of the clinical team
• Complete baseline assessment with new clients.
• Discuss cases with the Social Worker/Occupational Therapist and get input regarding relevant referrals.
• Attend Interdisciplinary meetings and give input regarding cases
• Accompany clients on relevant referrals and assist with accessing the necessary support
  services.
• Complete relevant data capturing and reports
• Use and contribute to existing planning and record-keeping systems to ensure continuous improvement of your areas of responsibility.

Experience and Skills

• Graduate of U-turn's Work-readiness programme and carries a culture of recovery
• Adept in computer skills such as emails, online documents, sheets and presentations
• A collaborative team player – concerned with the team's success as well as
  individual performance
• Emotionally mature individuals who are not easily flustered.

Personal Attributes

• Passion for U-turn’s mission and values.
• Strong leadership with a collaborative mindset.
• 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

Internship parameters

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 1 year, after which you need to apply for any position internal or external to U-turn. Should you successfully pass the probation period, you will graduate from the Work readiness program.

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 and 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 3 months of securing an internship position).

Next Steps

Send your CV and a cover letter to recruitment@homeless.org.za

Background

A new opportunity has arisen for U-turn to partner with Geocentric in some of the Improvement Districts they manage in Cape Town. This entails champion placement as part of a cleaning and greening team under their Urban Management portfolio.

This position:

An intern position has been made available as part of this team. This is a great opportunity for a U-turn graduate to gain employment experience in this field and learn from the Geocentric Team. The successful candidate will be expected to role model a healthy culture of recovery by practicing open and honest communication, taking responsibility for themselves and the outcomes of your work tasks, and setting an example of a committed employee that is eager to learn and grow.

The purpose of this role is to enhance the cleanliness and aesthetic appeal of public spaces within the CID by providing supplementary services to municipal efforts. This includes routine cleaning, greening initiatives, and minor maintenance tasks to foster a safe and welcoming environment for all stakeholders. He/she will report to the CID team-leader on site.

Due to the nature of the partnership, the Intern will be employed by U-turn, but seconded to the CID. Over time, they will however be required to assist the U-turn project coordinator and onsite CID manager with some programme related duties regarding the champions.

KAR’s

• Public Space Cleaning
• Remove litter, debris, and illegally dumped waste from streets, sidewalks, and public areas.
• Empty public waste bins and replace liners as needed.
• Clean and maintain public amenities, including benches and signage.
• Assist in clearing stormwater drains to prevent blockages and flooding.
• Greening and Beautification:
• Support the establishment and maintenance of landscaping projects, including:
  • Public gardens
  • Pathways
  • Green corridors
• Assist in planting, watering, and maintaining potted gardens, ensuring the areas remain vibrant and healthy.
• Clean, maintain and empty Green Litter Bins that are designated for Tin, Aluminium Cans, Glass, and PET (plastic).
• Support recycling initiatives and promote environmental awareness.
• Maintenance Support:
• Report urban defects such as potholes, broken signage, or damaged infrastructure to the appropriate departments.
• Assist in minor maintenance tasks, including graffiti removal and poster cleanup
• Community Engagement:
• Interact courteously with the public, providing information and assistance as needed.
• Collaborate with local businesses and residents to identify areas needing attention.
• Adherence to deployment plan:
• Follow the daily deployment plan and key focus areas as communicated by the Trained Supervisor provided by Geocentric
• Prioritize high-traffic areas or zones specified as urgent or requiring additional attention.
• Health and safety:
• Adhere to all health and safety guidelines provided during training.
• Wear appropriate protective gear and uniforms at all times during operations.
• Handle waste materials safely and responsibly to prevent injury or contamination
• Oversight and support:
• Act as first point of contact for U-turn Champions also assigned to work with the CID, alerting the U-turn Project Manager and CID Focal Point on any projects that arise.
• Provide logistical and administrative support to U-turn Project Manager, including filling and submitting timesheets.

Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Good communication skills and a customer-friendly attitude.
• Physical fitness and stamina to perform manual labor tasks.

Working Conditions:

• Outdoor work in various weather conditions.
• Use of cleaning equipment and tools.
•  Adherence to safety protocols and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Performance Metrics:

• Timeliness and efficiency in completing assigned tasks.
• Quality and consistency of cleaning and greening efforts.
•  Responsiveness to community feedback and reported issues.
•  Contribution to the overall improvement of the CID’s public spaces.

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

Internship parameters

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 1 year, after which you need to apply for any position internal or external to U-turn. Should you successfully pass the probation period, you will graduate from the Work readiness program.

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 and 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 3 months of securing an internship position).

Next Steps

Send your CV and a cover letter to recruitment@homeless.org.za