After a difficult pandemic for charity shops, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in Peckham is urgently appealing for volunteers to help it get back up and running.
The BHF shop has a host of exciting volunteer roles open to those looking to support their local community, improve their wellbeing and integrate into a new social network all while supporting a good cause.
Jobs could include working the till, sorting donations or being present to welcome customers into the store. Behind the scenes, volunteers can take on warehouse assistant or specialist roles such as furniture assembly or processing Gift Aid donations which can provide transferrable skills that are perfect for future job applications. There are also opportunities to become volunteer stock collection drivers, stock generators and volunteer recruiters who get out in the local area
‘Volunteers are our life-blood,’ says Retail Volunteering Operations Manager Sarah Boardman, ‘we simply cannot operate our shops and stores without their generous support.’ This support comes in the form of time spent making sure the shop functions at its operational peak so that it can raise enough funds to be turned into life-saving heart research.
The charity has 712 nationwide shops, many of which are bouncing back following several closures during the pandemic. However, many jobs are facing a volunteer shortage and face the risk of closure.
Boardman says: ‘Currently, our volunteering hours are down 20% compared to pre-Covid and we have on average 2,500 fewer volunteers each week supporting our shops and stores.’
‘You can commit just a few hours each week or a few days,’ says Sarah. ‘Volunteering at the BHF is a great opportunity to meet new people, boost your confidence, gain retail experience and help us give unwanted items a new lease of life. Every hour given will help us raise funds to support those living with heart and circulatory diseases.’
For more information on how to get involved head to bhf.org.uk/signmeup or find your local shop at bhf.org.uk/shop
