Charity shop volunteer retail assistant jobs
Job Title: Assistant Shop Manager
Reporting To: Old Swan Shop Manager
Salary: £25,570 - £27,401
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Location: Old Swan, Liverpool
About us:
Alder Hey Children’s Charity raises vital funds to help make Alder Hey Children’s Hospital a truly world-class, patient-friendly hospital for the 450,000 patients and families we care for every year.
The charity supports a wide range of life-enhancing projects that improve the experience of our amazing young patients. This includes funding specialist medical equipment to ensure our skilled surgeons and clinical teams have access to the most cutting-edge technology and investing in hi-tech distraction equipment proven to reduce pain and anxiety for children during their hospital stay. We also support innovative programmes such as ward musicians, our on-site magician, and dedicated play specialists on every ward.
In addition, our charity retail operation plays a key role in raising funds and engaging our community. With a presence on-site at the hospital and across local areas, our retail outlets offer a variety of high-quality donated and new goods. Every purchase helps us continue to deliver exceptional care and fund critical projects, while also providing volunteering and community engagement opportunities that extend the impact of our mission beyond the hospital walls.
About the role:
We are looking for a passionate, ambitious Assistant Charity Shop Manager to join our successful team to help manage our charity shop in Old Swan.
The Assistant Shop Manager will be an integral part of the wider Charity team.
Main Duties/Tasks:
You will play a vital role in supporting the Shop Manager to lead, motivate, and develop a team of dedicated employees and volunteers, fostering strong community engagement and maximising the shop’s impact. This includes encouraging and harnessing the gifts of time from volunteers, goods from donors, and income from customers. As a visible and active ambassador for Alder Hey Children’s Charity on the high street, you will ensure the shop reflects the Charity’s values and purpose in all that it does. You will also support van collections and deliveries, helping to ensure the smooth and efficient transport of donated goods, while representing the Charity with enthusiasm and professionalism.
Income generation:
-
Work with the Shop Manager to maximise sales and profits ensuring weekly targets are met.
-
Support the team to maximise income from Gift Aid on donated products.
-
Support the team to maximise income via our online platforms.
-
Support the team with arranging van deliveries/collections daily.
-
Work with the wider Charity team to promote and support fundraising activities and events.
-
Explore ways to maximise sales via events, donation drives, pop-up shops etc.
-
Cash up the till at the end of shift and ensure banking documents are completed. Investigate any discrepancies and report them to the Manager.
-
Support with ensuring the money is ready and accessible for cash collection.
-
Open and close the shop at the appropriate times.
Volunteers:
-
Support and management of a team of volunteers.
-
Utilise volunteer skill sets and motivate them to deliver great customer service and perform tasks in-line with charity standards.
-
Maximise the shop’s opening hours and ensure the shop is open and managed by the shop team in the absence of the Shop Manager.
-
Help to provide and support ongoing training and development for volunteers.
-
Work and treat employees, volunteers and stakeholders in accordance with the Charity’s values.
-
Health & Safety (in conjunction with Shop Manager)
-
Ensure the shop adheres to Retail Health and Safety regulations.
-
Implement good Health and Safety practices to help protect employees, volunteers, and customers.
-
Help to ensure employees and volunteers are trained in manual handling.
-
Help maintain the cleanliness of the shop and behind the scenes areas.
-
Stock Control (in conjunction with Shop Manager)
-
Ensure continuous, sufficient levels of high-quality stock.
-
Be responsible for deliveries and stock controls.
-
Ensure stock is appropriate to the business and priced accordingly.
-
Maintain a rigorous process of stock rotation, ensuring rotation within expiry dates.
-
Ensure visual merchandising is a high priority, with products featured prominently in window displays.
Customer Service:
-
Be professional, patient and have a ‘people-first’ approach to customer services.
-
Be committed to the principles of equality, diversity, and collaborative working.
-
Set high standards of cleanliness, display and merchandising.
-
Establish quality standards, consumer safety and ensuring continuity.
-
Play a key role in enabling the shop to represent the Charity’s values.
Other Duties:
-
Be an outstanding advocate for Alder Hey Children’s Charity in line with the core values of the organisation.
-
Any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager.
The Charity retail team are currently conducting a four-day working week trial, due to end on 30 June 2026. This means that, for example, staff previously working 37.5 hours a week are now working 30 hours a week to enable a four-day working week. The trial is monitoring the benefits of a four-day working week against productivity. We are confident that by embracing a more flexible and balanced approach to work, we can continue to create a thriving and fulfilling work environment while driving growth and success for our charity. A decision will be made before the 30 June 2026 to agree the next steps, based on an assessment of the trial period; the four-day working week trial may be ended, extended or adopted permanently.
Our Values
Here at Alder Hey Children’s Charity, our values guide the way in which we work. By being courageous, working together, being passionate about our work, and making sure that we are creative in what we do, helps us to deliver the support necessary so that our hospital can continue to deliver the very best care for our young patients and their families. Our values are:
Courage: we try new things and take risks to innovate and drive forward new ideas. We have the courage to speak up and take a stance. We are accountable, responsive and responsible. We are unstoppable.
Together: we work together as one team, sharing our knowledge and learning. We work in partnership with patients, families, supporters and colleagues. We are respectful, celebrate diversity and empower each other to achieve our aims.
Passion: we are passionate about what we do and why we do it. We work together to share and grow. We inspire others.
Magic: we are fun, creative and child led. We create special moments, provide little extras and go further for our brave young patients.
How to apply
You can apply by clicking the link below. Applications must include your CV and a covering letter which answers the following questions:
-
How do you meet the person specification? If you don’t exactly meet all of the role requirements but have transferable skills please do consider applying and provide details as part of your answer.
-
Why do you want to work for Alder Hey?
Additional information is included within the Job Description and Person Specification. If you have any questions about the role please contact the People Team.
Closing date: Monday 19th January 2026
Interview date (to be held at Alder Hey Children’s Charity Shop – Old Swan): Tuesday 27th January 2026
Alder Hey Children’s Charity will make every endeavour to make any reasonable adjustments for applicants who require assistance in carrying out their duties due to a disability. Alder Hey Children’s Charity is committed to equal opportunities and positively welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Alder Hey Children’s Charity is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The post holder may be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check.
Team: Retail
Location: Hythe
Work pattern: 14 hours on a rota basis (to include weekends)
Salary:Up to £8,977.77 per annum
Contract: Permanent
We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.
Will you join us and make life better for cats?
Responsibilities of our Assistant Shop Manager:
- To assist the Shop Manager to maximise shop income and profitability through the safe day-to-day operational management of shop activity and key performance indicators, to support the work of Cats Protection
- To act as brand ambassador for Cats protection, being a role model for the values and behaviours of the Charity, taking responsibility for the shop operation in the absence of the Shop Manager.
About the retail team:
- Our retail operation consists of over 80 charity shops
- Each of our shops has its own charm and personality due to our dedicated volunteers and colleagues. From vintage jewellery and jigsaws to harps and handbags, whether our customers are looking for that 'must have' item or simply a 'missing piece'.
What we’re looking for in our Assistant Shop Manager:
- Demonstrable learning and experience from working in a relevant retail environment
- Experience and/or understanding of working to sales targets
- Experience of cash reconciliation and financial controls
- Ability to motivate and manage a team of employees and volunteers
What we can offer you:
- range of health benefits
- 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
- Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
- and much more, which you can learn about
Interested? Here’s how to apply:
Application closing date: 4th January 2026
Virtual interview date: Week commencing 12th January 2026
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.
If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate.
If successful, your recruitment journey will include:
- Anonymised application form
- Virtual interview via Microsoft Teams
Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
Can you inspire and be inspired? Can you deliver great customer service? Are you looking for a chance to shine? We have fantastic opportunities for progression and development and the Freedom to nurture ideas and flair within a Framework of support to develop you.
At Barnardo's we believe in children, the funds we raise in store support the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK and now's your chance to play your part in this vital work. As well as maximising sales and profit in store you'll also ensure the very highest standards of presentation and customer services – your aim will be to make your store the best in town, for customers to visit and for your colleagues to work in.
You're an experienced people manager; you are creative and resourceful and can use this to generate customer, donor and colleague loyalty. You'll need to be well organised with great communication skills to lead your team of colleagues in store to maximise sales and profit and meet your stores targets.
In return you will work for one of the UK's largest charity retailers with benefits, including full training and development package, promotion prospects, pension and benefits.
Generating the money we need to make children's lives better is a truly fulfilling role so if you'd like to use your talent to make a positive difference then we would love to hear from you!
The full Job description and Person profile is available below. Please read this before applying to ensure that the job matches your skills and experience.
When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description and Additional Information document (if applicable). This should be done with an understanding of the context of the role described.
* As part of Barnardo's ongoing commitment to safeguarding, our retail recruitment process requires that successful candidates are asked to consent to a Basic criminal records check.
Interview Date: Where an interview date has been given in the advert, this will be the only date available. Please check this before proceeding with your application.
Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: £37,739.41 per annum
Location: Home based with regular travel to Shelter shops across East Scotland
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 37.5 per week
Closing date: Tuesday the 6th of January at 11:30pm
At Shelter Scotland, we believe home is everything. Every day, thousands of people are devastated by the housing emergency — and we’re here to fight it. Our shops play a vital role in raising funds to support our frontline services and campaigns, while also connecting us with communities across Scotland.
We’re now looking for a dynamic and motivated leader to join our Retail team as Assistant Area Manager (East Scotland). In this role, you’ll help ensure our shops are safe, welcoming, and thriving spaces that inspire donations, volunteering, and sales — all contributing to Shelter’s mission of defending the right to a safe home.
About the role
This role supports the Area Manager to ensure shops across the area are safe, welcoming and thriving. You’ll represent Shelter in the community, creating positive experiences for customers, donors and volunteers while maximising Gift Aid and encouraging ongoing support.
You’ll help to oversee shop operations – from pricing and stock rotation to displays and local income-generating events, along with playing a key part in recruiting, developing and guiding Community Shop Managers.
Financial responsibility is central, following procedures, reviewing shop accounts and supporting managers to identify opportunities and reduce costs. Success means helping shops meet and exceed targets, increasing Shelter’s contribution and ensuring vibrant, well-run shops that maximise impact.
About you
We’re looking for an experienced leader who can inspire and motivate teams to deliver outstanding results. You’ll thrive in a varied role, bringing energy and creativity to shop environments, helping teams attract customers and donors, and deepening their knowledge of Shelter’s mission. With strong influencing skills, you’ll train, develop and empower people to run successful shops that raise vital funds.
To succeed, you’ll need experience managing staff or volunteers, delivering excellent customer service, overseeing multiple sites and working with budgets. You’ll also be enterprising and innovative, with the ability to engage communities and have knowledge of charity retail and how to grow sales.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
This role sits within the Income Generation directorate within the Retail team at Shelter. You will work alongside and report into the Area Manager, along with the Community Shop Managers of the shops you will be helping to oversee.
How to apply
Please click ‘Apply for Job’ on the advert. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement with responses to the points in the About You section of the job description of no more than 350 words each. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format.
- We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset
Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered
About Shelter Scotland
Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses.
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Location
Hybrid – with regular travel to shops and centres within Nottinghamshire region. Post holders expected to be working flexibly across their community 4 days out of 5, within minimum 1 day per week from our Nottinghamshire Centre – and attend regular team meetings in an agreed location.
Due to the scope and nature of the role, you will need to live within, or in close proximity to, Nottinghamshire. You will be required to have a valid driving license and access to a car to enable you to travel freely across the area without reliance on public transport.
Salary: £27,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week (with occasional weekend and evening work as and when the role requires)
Role Purpose:
You will be responsible for Community, Events and local Corporate fundraising across the Nottinghamshire Region. You will deliver excellent stewardship to supporters and volunteers and develop relationships with key local contacts who can help to further Jerry Green Dog Rescue’s mission.
You will collaborate with colleagues across the wider charity to ensure you are offering the best possible supporter experience. You will attend local events with, and through, volunteers, work with colleague in our retail sites, and spot other opportunities to promote Jerry Green Dog rescue in your community and drive support for our work.
Key Relationships:
Internal Contacts
· Wider fundraising team
· Marketing team
· Retail team
· Operations team
External contacts
· Supporters
· Volunteers
Key Outputs & Tasks:
Community Fundraising
- Identify, engage and steward individual and group supporters, developing strategies to promote fundraising activities and grow income from your local area.
- Proactively pursue local business partnership opportunities, developing a pipeline of potential corporate support and making applications to secure support.
- Provide high quality stewardship of individual supporters, groups and businesses within the community, responding to enquiries in a timely way and ensuring relationships are developed and maintained at a high standard.
- Represent Jerry Green Dog Rescue as the first point of contact within the community for Nottinghamshire, promoting our mission, vision, and values alongside fundraising and volunteering opportunities.
- Ensure that the fundraising CRM is up-to-date and develop regular reporting mechanisms to inform the Volunteering and Community Fundraising Manager of outputs and results, and support understanding of local audiences.
- Act as a champion for fundraising compliance across the organisation, ensuring adherence to relevant legislative requirements.
Volunteering
- Work with the Volunteering and Community Fundraising Manager and Volunteering Assistant to recruit, induct and train volunteers to support fundraising and other relevant initiatives in the local community.
- Work collaboratively with the wider organisation to recognise and celebrate volunteers that support the charity.
Other duties
- Contribute content for marketing communications including; social media, newsletters, local media to support marketing objectives and increase our engagement with potential supporters.
- Keep up to date with sector trends and developments in community fundraising and volunteering.
- Work collaboratively and purposefully with your team and the wider department and organisations to build strong working relationships and to be an internal ambassador for Fundraising and Marketing.
Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
· A target-driven and tenacious professional with some experience in community or corporate fundraising, or a similar role with transferable skills in relationship building.
· Entrepreneurial, with a drive to seek out new opportunities to drive income generation and pursue them with a continual eye on hitting KPIs and targets.
· A positive approach to your work and supporting your colleagues to achieve shared objectives.
· Knowledgeable about your local community.
· Organised, with a keen eye for detail and a confidence in managing competing priorities effectively.
· A credible and clear communicator, with a love for building relationships with charity supporters.
· A willingness to travel across the Nottinghamshire region, and to attend face-to-face meetings with your team as required.
How you’ll work in line with our Values:
Jerry Green Dog Rescue upholds the organisational Values of Kindness, Compassion, Honesty & Purposefulness in all our work.
Kindness – You will treat all your colleagues, supporters and volunteers with respect and kindness, and contribute to a supportive working environment.
Compassion – You will act as an ambassador for the charity, promoting our mission to rehome dogs in need. You will ensure that you work in a compassionate environment – for each other, and for our supporters.
Purposeful – You will work in line with your team operational plan to ensure a clear direction in your work, in alignment with the Fundraising and Organisational strategies.
· Honesty – You will manage expectations with your colleagues and supporters and communicate with them openly and honestly and ensure there is a culture of trust and openness within your direct team and your interactions with the wider organisation.
Key Performance Indicators:
·Community Fundraising income targets and KPIs
·Volunteering KPIs
Date Job Description Prepared:
December 2025
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the requirements of the role. It is not a contractual document and does not form part of any contract of employment. The duties and responsibilities outlined may be subject to change at any time to meet the needs of the organisation.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.


