Arranging cover for your slot - skip or swap

​​We understand that not every week is the same, and therefore you might not be able to do some of your future collections as planned. If you're unwell, if you're going to be away, or if you've had a last minute change of plans or emergency - we've made it super simple for you to skip your collections and find cover for your slot. You can also permanently swap slots with someone in your squad.

You can skip or swap your collection slot in 'My Collection Slots' on the Volunteer Hub.

*April 2025 update: ❓Why was the “Pause” feature removed?

Skipping and swapping - which one's for what?

⏩ Skip - If you cannot do collections in the future.

🔁 Swap - If you've agreed with another Food Waste Hero to swap your respective collection slots.

🔁 Swapping

How do I swap slots?

If you want to permanently swap your collection slot with a fellow FWH, please head to the Volunteer Hub and navigate to ‘My Collections’. You will be able to swap your slot only with another Food Waste Hero who is collecting on an ongoing basis at the same store.

⚠️ FWHs cannot swap slots without consent. FWHs that swap slots without written consent in the squad chat from the person they are swapping with, will receive a formal warning.

⏩ Skipping

How can I skip a slot if I can't make a collection?

No problem! Please head to the Volunteer Hub and navigate to ‘My Collections’. From there, you will be able to select the collection slot(s) you would like to skip.

When you skip your collections, Olio's Little Helper will send a message in your squad's group chat. Your fellow FWHs or FWHs outside your squad can then indicate that they'll cover for you by claiming your skipped slot on the Volunteer Hub under 'Available collection slots'.

🙏 Please aim to skip before the day of your collection.

⚠️ Please note: If you skip more than 3 consecutive collections (for the same collection slot) within 24 hours of the collection time, you will be issued a warning and your slot will be removed.

Our system automatically detects when a Food Waste Hero skips more than 3 consecutive collections with less than 24 hours notice. This enables us to monitor thousands of collections each week, ensuring that food doesn’t end up in the bin.

‼️ This automation is triggered whether the slot was skipped via Volunteer Hub or the reminder message.

❓ I can't skip the ''one-off'' collection I have.

Our system doesn't allow FWHs to skip one-off collections. In this instance, please simply unassign from the slot!

❓ What if the FWH who stepped forward to cover my skipped collection can no longer make it? Would this count as a missed collection for me?

No, it would count against their profile instead.

❓ Who can claim my skipped slot?

A message will go out into your squad's group chat when you skip to see if anyone from within the squad can cover the cover slot internally. But any Food Waste Hero who has completed their training will also be able to claim cover slots via the Volunteer Hub. This means that a Food Waste Hero from outside your squad may join your group chat for as long as they are covering your slots.

❓ What should I do if I miss my collection?

If you do miss a collection without skipping your slot in the Volunteer Hub, please follow the steps described in the dedicated FAQ: Missed Collections

❓Why was the “Pause” feature removed?

We’ve removed the Pause feature to simplify how FWHs manage collections in the Volunteer Hub, based on feedback that it was confusing to have 2 actions (“Pause” and “Skip next collection”) for when you need to take a break from collections.

This change will also help reduce bugs, streamline behind-the-scenes processes, and make the system more reliable overall.