Skip to content

Volunteering in Our Charity Shops

At Age UK East Sussex, our charity shops and furniture warehouses play a vital role in supporting older people right here in our community.

With shops in Battle, Lewes, Kemptown, Hastings and Bexhill, and furniture warehouses in Newhaven and Eastbourne, every donation and every purchase helps us raise the funds we need to provide essential services for local older people.

Why volunteer with us?

Volunteering in one of our shops is about so much more than sorting stock. Our volunteers tell us it’s rewarding, sociable and a wonderful way to give back to the community. You’ll:

  • Be part of a friendly, supportive team

  • Gain valuable retail and customer service experience

  • Meet new people and make lasting friendships

  • Help raise vital funds that make East Sussex a better place to grow older

Volunteer with an Age UK East Sussex shop

If you're happy with everything that being a volunteer involves, we'd love to hear from you.

Sign Up Now

What does a retail volunteer do?

The role of a shop volunteer is wonderfully varied. Some days you might be sorting through donations, carefully preparing items for sale or spotting hidden gems that could make a beautiful window display. On other days you might be helping customers on the shop floor, working the till or chatting to someone who simply wants a little company.

In our furniture warehouses, volunteers play a key part in preparing larger donations for resale, helping us keep good-quality, affordable furniture available for the community. Whatever the task, you’ll know that your time is directly helping to fund vital services such as information and advice, companionship, and practical support for older people in East Sussex.

"I love being an Age UK volunteer"

"It gets me out of the house, I meet lots of different people and I find it very satisfying. It has taught me that if you want to do something for other people, it doesn’t matter what it is, however small - do it!" 

Elizabeth - volunteer with Age UK East Sussex, Battle

Steps to becoming a volunteer

  1. You sign up and start your volunteer application online. We'll post new opportunities regularly which you can search for with your postcode. 

  2. Signing up involves completing references and passing any ID checks. We ask you to have two references ready when you apply.

  3. Once we've checked references and IDs an Age UK East Sussex Shop Manager will be in touch to discuss what help is required and you can discuss your skills and what you believe you can offer.

  4. If you have any issues or questions as part of signing up, please contact us on volunteers@ageukeastsussex.org.uk.

What will you gain?

By volunteering, you’ll not only be helping older people in East Sussex - you’ll also get:

  • The chance to learn new skills and boost your confidence

  • A great addition to your CV

  • The satisfaction of knowing your time is making a real difference locally

If you’d like to join our team, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can make East Sussex a great place to grow older.

Keep Connected

You can join our free Connect Service and have our up-to-date information and advice delivered to your inbox on a monthly basis.

Sign Up Today