Cook

£12.90 per hour | Part Time – 1 Shift per Week | Seven Rivers – Colchester | between the hours of 10:00 – 18:00 (30 min break)

“Making every meal a moment to remember.” That’s how one of our team describes the difference they make. If you’re passionate about cooking, creative with meals, and ready to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.

A kitchen with a purpose
Our residential care home at Seven Rivers provides support for people with disabilities. We’re looking for an experienced Cook to join our dedicated team. Here, your culinary skills help create enjoyable, nutritious, and appetising meals, while supporting independence and wellbeing.

Your working hours
This role is part time, one shift per week between 10:00 and 18:00 with a 30-minute break. You must be flexible to cover sickness and annual leave.

From 1 December 2025, enhancement rates of £1.00 per hour will apply to night working (8pm Monday to 7am Friday) and weekend working (8pm Friday – 7am Monday).

Why you’ll love working here
 As well as supporting your career and wellbeing, we offer a fantastic benefits package, including:

 • 28 days holiday per annum inclusive of bank holidays (+1 day every year up to 33 days)
 • Stream: Access up to 40% of your pay before payday
 • Free Blue Light Card: Enjoy exclusive discounts and perks
 • Contributory Pension Scheme with competitive life cover
 • Health cash plan: Affordable healthcare when you need it
 • Career development: Apprenticeships and recognised qualifications
 • Free PVG check
 • Employee Assistance Programme for 24/7 support

What you’ll do
 • Deliver a varied, healthy, and nutritionally balanced menu, meeting specific dietary requirements
 • Run an efficient kitchen within budget
 • Supervise and support kitchen staff
 • Maintain exceptional hygiene and cleanliness in line with Health & Safety regulations
 • Get creative providing catering for events and special occasions
 • Make a positive impact on residents’ lives through your meals

What helps you shine here
 • Experience working in a kitchen environment
 • Recognised catering qualification (Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate + HACCP, or Level 4 / commitment to work towards)
 • Flexibility to work within rostered hours
 • Passion for cooking and attention to detail

About Leonard Cheshire

We’re one of the UK’s highest-rated providers of care and supported living services, with 87% of our services rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by regulators. For over 75 years, we’ve supported disabled people to live, learn, and work as independently as possible, providing specialist support across residential care, supported living, and respite services.

Ready to apply?
 
Click Apply Now or contact resourcingteam@leonardcheshire.org for more information.

Leonard Cheshire welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We actively encourage applications from people with disabilities and will support your requirements for reasonable adjustments wherever possible.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. A satisfactory disclosure check (PVG membership in Scotland) is required for this post, and references will be obtained for all roles.