Volunteer in a shop

Opportunities range from behind the scenes roles such as administration and cleaning to front of house support on the tills or window dressing. Join our 7,200 existing volunteers - no experience is required, just enthusiasm!

Talk to the manager of your local shop about volunteering opportunities. To find out where your nearest shop is, call 0800 169 8787 or use our local directory.

If you're not sure whether it's for you, we offer taster sessions so you can find out more. Call into your local shop to arrange a session or contact us.

Shop volunteer roles

Administrative volunteers

You will help complete the weekly cash paperwork, help with monthly returns on attendance, maintain training records and order stationery and other items as required.

You need to be honest and reliable, with basic numeracy skills and attention to detail.

Days and times can be arranged for mutual convenience‚ but for this role some of the work has to be completed on a specific day.

Antiques & collectables volunteer

Help us get the best price possible for more valuable collectables and antiques by offering your view on pricing.

You will need previous experience of antiques and collectables, either as a dealer/seller or as an enthusiast. We will provide induction training and further information as required. We will ensure materials are available for pricing on your visit.

For this role‚ we anticipate an hour once a fortnight or month would be sufficient.

Driver

You will help to ensure an efficient collection service of donated stock, arrange collections from people’s houses, move unsellable items to the local tip (where applicable) and help keep our stockrooms tidy and well managed.

You will need a full‚ clean driving licence, a courteous manner and the ability to carry out your role on your own or as part of a team.

We will provide you with induction training and further information as required. Please note for this role your insurance must cover business usage as any claims for damages or injuries will be made through your own insurance.

For this role‚ we anticipate an hour once or twice a week may be sufficient‚ depending on the location.

Household volunteer

Help run our household department by sorting good quality bric-a-brac, china, linens etc, preparing them for the sales floor (which may involve washing and drying). You will identify any unusual or valuable pieces, price items in keeping with their age and condition, and arrange displays, keeping them full and fresh.

You need a keen eye for collectables and antiques and the ability to work swiftly and accurately as part of a team and on your own.
Two four-hour shifts a week is ideal for this role. You may be needed in the shop on delivery days.

Marketing volunteer

Help us produce posters and leaflets for specific shop campaigns.

You will need to discuss requirements with our regional team and design materials with appropriate computer software. You need to have computer skills, previous experience of marketing and design and a polite‚ approachable personality.

One day a month may be sufficient for this role, depending on the shop’s needs.

Media volunteer

Handling all the shop’s books‚ CDs‚ DVDs‚ records‚ videos and cassettes, you will help select items and price them according to saleability and condition.

You will prepare items for display and keep the stock full and fresh.

You should be an organised person who works well both as a part of a team and on your own, and you will probably enjoy reading and/or music.

Ideally you would do two four-hour shifts a week.

New goods volunteer

You will check displays of new goods, placing top-up orders as required, and look out for opportunities to sell new goods in the shop and local community.

You will be outgoing‚ thorough‚ able to complete basic paperwork and have a keen eye for display and co-ordination.

Two hour-long shifts a week will probably be sufficient to unpack and check deliveries‚ display new lines and check for re-orders.

Training & recruitment volunteers

Help ensure we have sufficient volunteers in our shops by working with the manager to organise recruitment sessions for new volunteers and assisting with their induction and ongoing training.

You will be outgoing‚ thorough and patient. Previous experience of recruitment and training would be useful but is not essential.

This role would probably involve monthly events‚ depending on the shop’s needs. If you are prepared to carry out this role in more than one location‚ this can be arranged by the managers of each shop.

Sales adviser

You will give a high standard of customer service on the shop floor, greeting customers, offering advice on the fit of outfits, suggesting alternative garments and link-selling where appropriate.

You need a keen eye for fashion, a confident, friendly and polite manner, and the ability to work as part of a team and use your initiative.

For this role, busy trading days such as market days and Saturdays are good days to be around. Two four-hour shifts a week will be ideal.

Stock acquisitions

You will contact suppliers‚ retailers and manufacturers to secure end of line stock‚ returned items or excess stock for Age UK shops.

You need to have previous experience of cold calling or negotiating skills, and a polite‚ friendly‚ approachable personality.

One day a month may be sufficient make initial contact and follow-up calls.

Stockroom volunteers

You will sort clothing‚ shoes and accessories into saleable items and items for recycling, then prepare stock for shop floor by hanging‚ sizing‚ steaming‚ ticketing and pricing once fully trained in brand recognition and the use of our price guide.

You need a keen eye for fashion, understanding of labels and brands, and the ability to work quickly and accurately as part of a team or using your own initiative.

For this role you may be needed on specific delivery days. Two four-hour shifts a week will be ideal.

Window Dresser

You will set up appealing displays that maintain our visual presentation standards.

With the shop manager‚ you will select suitable fashionable items and matching accessories for window and internal displays and dress the window using equipment at your disposal.

Where possible you will dress the window to a theme, selecting back-up items for replenishing displays. You will need an eye for fashion and detail.

For this role‚ we anticipate an hour twice a week will be enough.

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