Shop volunteer – Hitchin

Please note: This shop is part of a national shop-closure programme and is scheduled to close within the next 12 months. We are still warmly welcoming volunteers, as they remain essential in helping us raise vital funds for life-saving cancer research. We can offer a great and meaningful volunteering experience for as long as the shop remains open, and we would love to have you with us – even for a limited time. To find out more about the expected closure timeline, please speak directly with the Shop Manager.

About the role

Our shops raise millions of pounds every year to fund life-saving research, and by giving your time, you’ll be joining a movement of people passionate about beating cancer. You’ll be welcomed into a friendly, supportive team, where you’ll gain valuable skills, build confidence, and make new friends – all while making a real difference for people affected by cancer.

What you’ll be doing

Volunteering in our shops is exciting and rewarding. From styling windows with pre-loved fashion to talking with customers and making them feel welcome, volunteers are at the heart of our shop teams and every shift makes a difference. Here are some of the tasks you could help with:

• Greeting customers and offering a friendly, helpful service.
• Identifying quality items that could sell for a good price, helping to raise more money for the shop.
• Creating eye-catching window displays and keeping the shop looking its best.
• Helping at the till by taking payments and asking customers if they’d like to donate through Gift Aid or round up their total to support the shop's fundraising.
• Taking part in team activities to fundraise for campaigns like Stand Up To Cancer.

The kind of person we’re looking for

You don’t need any experience to volunteer, you just need to be motivated, enthusiastic and enjoy being part of a team. We’re on the lookout for individuals who are:

• Flexible and happy to get stuck into a variety of tasks.
• Enthusiastic about helping to raise vital funds through the shop’s activities.
• Team players who enjoy being part of a supportive, inclusive environment.
• Those who can bring their energy and passion to help us beat cancer together!

Please note:

• The minimum age for volunteering in our shops is 18.
• If you are aged between 16 and 17 you may still be able to volunteer in our shops, but you must be on a recognised scheme, for example short term work experience organised by your school.
• You must be living in the UK to volunteer in one of our shops.
• We ask all applicants to disclose to us, in confidence, any unspent criminal convictions.

Next Steps and what to expect

Where and when

We have shops and superstores across the UK, ranging from traditional high street stores to larger retail park locations. Each offers a different experience, so there’s something for everyone. Just enter your preferred location when searching to find opportunities near you. Volunteering with us is easy and flexible, so whether you can give a few hours a week or a few days, your manager will help organise shifts that work best for you.

How we’ll look after you

We want you to get the most out of your volunteering experience and our friendly team will be there to support you all the way. Once you've submitted your application, we'll review it to make sure we have everything we need. A shop manager will then be in touch to invite you to a taster session where you can meet the team, learn more about the role and decide if it feels right for you. If you decide you'd like to join the team, we'll provide a full induction and offer ongoing training opportunities to make sure you're fully confident in your role. We can also reimburse reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses, as agreed in advance with your manager.

Why volunteer for Cancer Research UK

What you’ll gain

As well as making a huge impact on our mission to beat cancer, volunteering with us can also have a range of benefits for you too, from boosting your wellbeing to helping you discover new skills and interests. By joining us as a volunteer, you'll have the chance to:

• Develop skills that are valuable in the workplace.
• Build confidence and make new friends.
• Give back to your local community.
• Have fun volunteering alongside like-minded people who are supporting the same cause.

Why we need you

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. And so far, we’ve made incredible progress – in the last 50 years, we’ve helped to double cancer survival in the UK. To make these advances possible, we rely on our community of brilliant volunteers, who give their time to help fund research that saves lives. By volunteering, you’re helping to bring us closer to a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

How to apply

Just click on the ‘Apply for this role’ link at the top of the page, fill out the form and we’ll be in touch. At Cancer Research UK we know that having a diverse volunteer community will help us to beat cancer. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We will happily consider making any reasonable adjustments to support volunteer applications from people with a disability or health condition.