Retail Volunteer

Why we need you

St Margaret’s has 31 shops, including furniture stores, throughout Somerset. Each shop plays an enormous role in helping fund the compassionate care we provide to patients and families across Somerset. The success of our retail shops is down to our amazing shop volunteer team who help to create a warm and friendly shopping experience for customers. From welcoming and chatting with customers, serving on the till, and replenishing stock, to sorting and pricing donations in preparation for selling, there’s a role for everyone.

This role would suit people who

• Enjoy meeting new people
• Work well in a team
• Are physically fit and able to lift items of varying weights
• Want to support a great cause
• Are over 16 (although some shops can accept volunteers from 14 years).

What you will be doing

There are a range of roles and opportunities in our retail shops. Depending on your interests you could be:

• Chatting with customers on the shop floor, providing great customer service
• Serving customers and processing payments at the till point
• Helping keep the shop tidy, clean and well-organised
• Preparing donated stock for sale, including sorting, steaming, hanging, and pricing
• Replenishing stock displays on the shop floor
• Creating eye-catching window displays to help draw customers into the shop.

What’s in it for you

Volunteering in one of our retail shops is a truly rewarding experience. Here are just a few of the benefits:

• Make new friends and join a fantastic staff and volunteer team
• Enjoy a friendly volunteering atmosphere
• Flexible shifts that fit around your lifestyle
• Learn new skills and develop your CV
• Volunteer discounts
• Reasonable ‘approved’ travel expenses reimbursed
• Possible references for future employers
• Help to raise vital funds for people with life-limiting illness in Somerset.

Next steps and what to expect

We want you to have the very best volunteering experience with St Margaret’s Hospice. We will:

• Provide you with a named staff contact for day-to-day support
• Provide an induction and any role-specific training that may be required
• Provide refreshments.

How to apply

You can fill in the volunteer application below or pop into your local St Margaret’s retail shop and speak to the shop manager. The manager will arrange an initial taster session for you – this is not an interview, just a chance to visit the shop, meet the rest of the volunteer team, and see what’s involved.

You will be required to complete an online application form on The Volunteering Hub and provide a reference.