VOLUNTEER IN BRISBANE WITH COFFEE BRIGADE

Shifts begin at Coffee Brigade HQ at 6 am. The van departs HQ at 6:15 am.

The van travels to 3 set locations every day:

• Stop 1 - Kemp Place, Fortitude Valley  - 6:30 am to 7:00 am
• Stop 2 - Annie Street, Kangaroo Point - 7:10 am to 7:25 am
• Stop 3 - Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill - 7:40 am to 8:10 am

The van returns to HQ at 8:30 am, and volunteers are on their way by 9 am once the clean-up and resetting process is complete.

Please note: Volunteers must start and finish shifts at HQ to help with both the set-up and clean-up.

Each morning, you’ll be part of a small team of three volunteers heading out to visit our friends in need.

You’ll help serve simple food like sandwiches, fresh fruit, and snacks, or prepare hot drinks like tea, coffee, and soup. Everything’s easy to set up, the sandwiches are made ahead of time by our sandwich volunteers, and the hot drinks are instant or ready-to-go. That way, you can focus on the most important part of the morning: offering a warm smile, a listening ear, and kind connection to someone in need.

No special skills are required, just an open mind, a kind heart, and the ability to listen without judgment.

At Coffee Brigade, we believe in the power of human connection. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and what matters most is your willingness to show up with warmth, respect, and a friendly chat for our friends in need. We'll support you every step of the way, so you can feel confident and connected from your very first shift.

You need to be 18 or over to volunteer on the van for safety and insurance reasons. While we believe volunteering is valuable at any age, our van shifts are best suited to adults who can navigate the emotional complexity and responsibility involved in supporting our friends in need. We love welcoming younger volunteers to our sandwich shifts instead.

Our van shifts involve being on your feet for most of the 3-hour shift, and stepping up into and down out of the van. If this sounds like it might be physically challenging for you, we encourage you to consider helping out with sandwich-making instead. It’s a vital part of our service and can be done while comfortably seated at our HQ.

Every role counts, and we’re here to help you find the one that’s right for you.

Yes, all new volunteers receive a Volunteer Handbook, an induction and on-the-van training.

You'll be welcomed by our friendly HQ team who'll explain the need-to-knows of the van and what we offer our friends. Then, you'll be off on the morning shift with two experienced volunteers who’ll help you learn the ropes while making an impact.

Driving isn’t a strict requirement, but our service simply can’t run without volunteers who are willing to drive. We’re incredibly grateful to the volunteers who help in this way; they keep our service running safely, consistently, and reliably. Driver volunteers still serve our friends sandwiches or coffee, in addition to hopping behind the wheel.

The van is a Toyota Hiace. It can be driven on a standard licence and is equipped with surround sensors and reverse cameras to make it as safe and easy as possible. Volunteers are covered by Coffee Brigade’s insurance, but may be responsible for any excess costs in the case of driver-at-fault incidents.​

If you're not comfortable driving, you’re still welcome to volunteer, but please know this may limit shift availability depending on our roster needs.

Our driving volunteers are an essential part of delivering nourishment, conversation, and care to people in need. Thank you for considering stepping into this role.

Absolutely! Volunteering together is a great way to connect while giving back to the community.

To start, you’ll each need to complete your first few shifts separately. This gives you the chance to learn the ropes alongside experienced volunteers and helps us keep the van service running smoothly.

After that, our friendly HQ team will do their best to pair you up on future shifts when spots align. With over 300 volunteers, there can sometimes be a waitlist for “double shifts”, so we do ask that all volunteers remain open to jumping in solo when needed.

When you both complete your volunteer forms, just leave a note letting us know you’d love to volunteer together. We’ll keep it in mind when rostering.

Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes, and make sure to dress for the weather! Our van goes out rain, hail, or shine, so it’s always best to check the forecast and come prepared (trust us, you'll be glad you did).

Bring a water bottle, but please leave any personal items at HQ during your shift. Space is limited in the van, and keeping belongings at HQ helps ensure that shifts run smoothly and safely for everyone involved.

We’ll provide aprons and gloves for serving, just bring yourself and a warm, open attitude!