FAQs
What is the main purpose of volunteering in the Book Department?
The main purpose of volunteering in the Book Department is to help price, organise, and display a wide range of donated books, thereby supporting the charity’s efforts to fund lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases.
Do I need to have experience in retail to volunteer?
No prior experience in retail is necessary; enthusiasm for books and a willingness to learn are what we are looking for.
What age do I need to be to apply to volunteer?
Volunteers must be 16 years or older, as we are unable to accept volunteers aged under 16.
Is this a paid position?
No, this is an unpaid volunteering position.
What kind of tasks will I be doing as a volunteer?
Typical tasks include sorting and pricing donated books, keeping the book department well-stocked, creating displays, and identifying rare and collectible books for online selling.
Do I need to lift heavy boxes of books?
Yes, there will be some lifting and carrying of books involved, so you should be comfortable handling heavy items.
What benefits do volunteers receive?
Volunteers receive a 25% discount on donated goods, a 10% discount on new goods, unlimited support from Retail Trust, access to training, reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses, refreshments, and certificates and references for your service.
Will I receive training before starting?
Yes, we offer access to training and development to help you succeed in your volunteering role.
Are there any uniform requirements for volunteers?
There are no specific uniform requirements, but we encourage volunteers to wear comfortable clothing suitable for a retail environment.
Can I volunteer if I have a criminal conviction?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept volunteers with unspent criminal convictions.