Make a difference by volunteering with our shops
We have a variety of shop related volunteer opportunities across Bucks and Herts. Perhaps you already have retail experience you’d like to dedicate to a local cause. Or you’d like to develop new skills and confidence by volunteering as a retail assistant. Or would an online retail role be more your thing? DIY volunteers are also in demand to keep our charity shops in tip-top condition. Whatever shop related volunteer role you choose – you’ll be making a massive difference to local families facing life-limiting illness. If you have time to give and would like to join the Rennie Grove volunteering team, we’d love to hear from you!
Fill in our volunteer enquiry form
Maybe you have specific skills you’d like to put to good use as a volunteer. Or perhaps you’d like to learn or practise new skills. Whatever you’d like to do – we’ll probably have something that will suit. Read on to find out about typical shop related opportunities.
Join one of our friendly teams in a Rennie Grove charity shop near you. Learn new skills, meet new people, and help raise much-needed funds.
Rennie Grove welcomes retail volunteers from age 14 and we’ll work with the time you have available. Charity shop roles range from sorting and preparing donations for sale, to customer-facing roles on the till and shop floor. You can also work alongside the management team to create eye-catching displays on the shelves, rails and in the windows. Creative, sociable, organised or retail-savvy – you can find your perfect fit amongst our local charity shop volunteering opportunities!
Our volunteer drivers transport items between our distribution centre in Berkhamsted and our offices and charity shops. You could either commit to a regular day’s volunteer driving – or offer availability on an ad hoc basis. For example, we might call upon you if regular drivers are off sick or on holiday. You’d drive the Rennie Grove transit vans across our nursing area of west Herts and Bucks. All routes start and finish in Berkhamsted but will vary according to needs. For instance, you help us rotate stock regularly across all our charity shops. This means customers get the best shopping experience. And we can maximise the funds raised from new goods and people’s kind donations of pre-loved items.
Are you organised and methodical? Do you have good attention to detail? Do you like wrapping and packaging items? Then this retail volunteering role with a difference could be perfect for you.
Our volunteers help wrap and pack items sold in our online charity shops, such as eBay and Depop. Our online retail platforms are a vibrant and essential source of income for Rennie Grove. All items sold – some of which are delicate and fragile – must be packaged to a high standard for dispatch domestically and worldwide. You’d be a key part of the dedicated team that expertly transforms donated items into crucial funds for patient care. In other words, you’d put the all-important finishing touches to the online sales process, ensuring items reach their destination safely.
Check out our retail activities here
Handyperson volunteers help reduce the cost of employing professional trades companies by carrying out general maintenance, small repairs and snags in shops.
You may be helping with a range of DIY and maintenance tasks in shops such as:
- replacing overhead light tubes/bulbs
- changing a ceiling tile
- fixing a leaky sink
- building flat pack furniture
- putting up a shelf
- repairing damaged fixtures or fittings
- painting and decorating
- basic DIY and carpentry
- PAT testing of shop and donated equipment
If you’re experienced and competent with DIY, this could be your perfect volunteering opportunity.
Thinking about joining your local shop?
Our shops welcome volunteers of all ages from fourteen upwards. If you'd like to find out more, please pop into your local shop and have a chat with the manager. They'll be able to talk you through what's involved, talk about the time you have to offer, and arrange a taster session to see if you like it.
Find your nearest shop
Reasons to volunteer with our shops/retail team
Our retail and trading volunteers say they love the team and people aspects of their role. Here are the key benefits they listed.
Connection Be part of a friendly team in a very sociable, supportive environment
Fulfilment Have the satisfaction of knowing you’re raising important funds to support local patients and families
Help your community Meet and mix with many different people from your local community
Gain confidence Develop your confidence and skills
“The difference that money can make to Rennie Grove is huge, and these gestures of kindness make my volunteer role so worthwhile.”
“It’s so much fun to meet new people and we’re supporting the nurses who provide an amazing service.”
“I’ve discovered that I’m very calm and organised. I love feeling part of a team and feel confident to try new things as a result. It’s great to know I’m doing something that will help others who are going through such a tough time.”
Reasons to volunteer
We asked all our volunteers what they get from volunteering with Rennie Grove. Here’s what they said…
- a sense of fun and fulfilment
- an opportunity to try something new
- a real sense of achievement
- meet new people
- share your skills and learn new ones
- improve your mental health and wellbeing
- gain work experience
- boost your confidence
- become more involved with your local community
- feel valued for your contribution
- help local families when they desperately need it
Hear from our volunteers
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Jim’s Story
At the end of December 2021 Jim Lawrence retired from volunteering with the retail and trading driving team after more than seven years' loyal service.
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Young volunteer stories
Rennie Grove is keen to encourage young people to get involved with us and we offer a range of flexible opportunities that fit in with their studies and...
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Kayleigh’s Story
Kayleigh got in touch about volunteering for Rennie Grove during the first UK lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having worked at Marks and Spencer for eight years as...
