Shift Lead Volunteer (Trainee Lead Volunteer)

Oxfam International; London; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a passionate movement to create a fairer world by volunteering in a vibrant retail environment. This role allows you to make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable skills in customer service, teamwork, and retail management. You'll be part of a dedicated team, helping to turn pre-loved items into resources that empower communities worldwide. With flexible volunteering options, you can contribute a few hours a week and still fit it into your busy life. If you're looking to meet new people and gain experience, this opportunity is perfect for you!

Benefits

Lunch and travel cost coverage

Access to training and development

Flexible volunteering schedules

Free confidential support

Possible references for future employers

Qualifications

• No prior experience needed; full training provided.
• Must be reliable and enjoy working in a team.

Responsibilities

• Open and close the shop, supervise volunteers, and manage tasks.
• Provide excellent customer service and assist with stock management.

Skills

Reliability

Team Collaboration

Communication

Job description

Please note: This role is only suitable for applicants aged 18 and over.

Do you want to make a real difference?

At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.

By undertaking this role you will be enabling the shop to open for trading and close up, supervise and lead other volunteers in undertaking tasks and duties that enable the smooth running of the shop, and support the management team in task management.

Here's why Oxfam is the perfect opportunity for you:

Be a Second-hand Superhero: In our high street shops, Ecommerce Hubs and Online Shop, people like you help create exciting and inspiring collections – retail therapy with a purpose!

Increase Your Skills: If you have a particular interest, you can build on it to gain valuable retail experience to add to your CV, such as supervising a team, customer service, and teamwork.

Find Your Community: Meet like-minded people who share your passion for a fairer world.

Flexibility: We know life gets busy. That's why we offer flexible volunteering options. A few hours a week is all it takes to make a big difference.

Oxfam isn't just another charity shop. We're a movement of passionate individuals working to create a fairer world, and we’d love you to be a part of it!

What happens next?

After you apply, the manager will ask you to come in for an initial chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you'd like to do in the shop. From there, you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!

Volunteer role

Shift Lead Volunteer

Volunteer manager

Shop Manager

Where you will be based

Shop

Why we want you

We’re seeking friendly, reliable individuals aged 18 or over who want to make a difference in their community by helping their local Oxfam shop to stay open for as long as possible. We need people to open and close the shop, and ensure volunteers know what tasks to undertake so the shop can run smoothly.

No prior experience is needed, as we provide full training. If you’re open to learning, enjoy working with others, and have a passion for helping people, you’ll fit right in!

You have the time to become a volunteer in your community; you might be looking for work experience, the opportunity to meet new people, or keep active.

By volunteering with us in one of our amazing retail spaces you will be raising essential funds for Oxfam – all whilst learning new skills and meeting some incredible people.

What you will be doing

• Undertaking shop related tasks agreed with the Manager, for example:
• Opening or closing the shop.
• Ensuring that the shop is ready to trade or cashing up at the end of trade.
• Allocating tasks to members of the volunteer team.
• Selecting, sorting, and pricing donated stock.
• Chatting to customers, giving great service on the till.
• Researching valuable and vintage stock.
• Visual merchandising: creating eye-catching window and in-store displays.
• Photographing and listing items for the online shop.
• This role may include occasionally lifting boxes. We prioritise a safe working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety training to all volunteers.

The skills you need

• We ask that you are reliable and on time for your volunteering.
• Full training and support is given for this role - no prior experience is required.
• Happy to be part of a team and collaborate effectively with others.
• Confident communicator.

What's in it for you

• Some lunch and travel costs paid (speak to the Manager first to understand what is covered).
• Access to training and development.
• Grow your confidence and meet new people.
• Flexible volunteering schedules that fit your lifestyle.
• Free confidential support by the Retail Trust.
• Possible references for future employers.

Disclaimer

Additional information: We warmly welcome everyone to apply and are dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse environment. If you have any particular needs, please talk to the Manager, and we can consider possible adjustments. We conduct ID checks for all volunteers and require one reference upon application. If you have any difficulties providing a reference, please speak to a manager for assistance.

4 Replingham Road, Southfields, London, Greater London, SW18 5LS, United Kingdom