Volunteering in a charity shop

Who can volunteer in a charity shop?
Anyone who has time to spare and would like to use it to benefit a charity. Young people should check their chosen charity’s age policy.

What does charity shop volunteering involve?
You may be asked to sort donations, price goods, work on the till, and create window displays. If you have experience in other areas, tell the shop manager as it can often be put to use. Volunteers get to make new friends, become part of a team and learn new skills while raising money for charity. Being a volunteer need not interfere with your other commitments. Many shops ask for a regular commitment of a set number of hours per week that can work around your schedule.

Will charity shop volunteering cost me anything?
Some charities reimburse volunteer expenses.

I’m on benefits – can I volunteer?
On Incapacity Benefit? You can volunteer without payment being affected. If you claim Job Seeker’s Allowance you should not be affected if you are still ‘actively seeking and available for work’. Whichever benefit you receive, inform your benefits agency if doing voluntary work.

Safeguarding in charity shops
Under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, charity shops have a legal duty to protect children and vulnerable adults. These include individuals who are on the children’s and/or adults barred list working with these vulnerable groups. When staff and volunteers undertake Regulated Activities, they are subject to a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. DBS is just one of several measures that charity shops use to protect their staff and volunteers within their work places. We expect our members to take any allegations of harmful behaviour seriously and take appropriate action.

Looking for a paid career in charity retail?
Go to our Charity Retail Careers page