St Peter St James Hospice Shops rely heavily upon the tremendous support of their volunteers and there are always opportunities to help either in the central Warehouse or in one of the shops.
Volunteering in the warehouse
All the donations that are brought into the shops are collected and delivered to the Warehouse on the Hospice’s site for sorting and checking. Here, clothes are sized and steamed, bric-a-brac is sorted and washed, furniture is polished and volunteers check that, where appropriate, items carry the necessary safety labels and generally ensure that everything that is selected is in good condition and suitable for the shops to sell.
Most volunteers have a particular interest in specific products such as ladies clothing or glass and china. Some volunteers like steaming clothes whilst others may prefer sorting and cleaning toys and some may be handy and undertake small repairs to furniture.
Volunteering in the shops
As the Hospice shops now have a central Warehouse and Distribution system, sorting is no longer undertaken in any of the stores. Stock is selected by the managers from the Warehouse which is then delivered to the shops as and when required.
Thus, shop volunteers are kept very busy rotating stock and replenishing shelves and rails as things are sold. In addition they help to keep the shops clean and tidy but, most importantly, they have time to focus on customer service and sales. All the shops are very busy and it is essential that customers receive a warm welcome and an offer of help if they require it.
How to find out more and apply to become a volunteer
If you would like to know more about the opportunities to volunteer in any of the Hospice’s shops, in the first instance, please telephone or visit the shop that you would like to help in and talk to the Shop Manager. (You will find all the shop telephone numbers on the ‘Shop Locations & Profiles’ page).
There are also volunteering opportunities within our Warehouse based at the Hospice.
Alternatively please contact Avril Roberts, Volunteer Services Coordinator on 01444 470 812.
With first rate high quality stock and friendly staff these shops really aren’t just any charity shops… they are St Peter & St James Hospice Charity Shops.
