BHF shops
Rise in 16 to 24 year olds volunteering for charity
This Student Volunteering Week (7th - 13th February 2022), we’re encouraging students across the UK to get involved and volunteer at their local BHF shop – as we reveal that increasing numbers of our volunteers are now part of Generation Z.
Since September 2021 we have been delighted to see a 44 per cent rise in the number of volunteers signing up to support us who are aged 16-24. Despite a strong bounce back in retail sales following Covid, we saw a significant drop in our volunteers, with around 2,500 fewer donating time to support their local shop, than before the pandemic.
This Student Volunteering Week, we’re calling for more students across the UK to consider helping out at their local BHF shop to gain work experience and learn new skills while studying.
Develop skill and try something new
Our Retail Volunteering Operations Manager, Sarah Boardman, said: “It’s fantastic to see a new generation of volunteers recognising the benefits of being part of our team. We welcome volunteers of all ages and it’s clear to see that our younger team members really relish learning new skills that can be used on their CV, to help them gain employment.”
“We are still in desperate need of volunteers as our shops recover from the pandemic. 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 give unwanted items a new lease of life. Every hour given helps us raise funds to support those living with heart and circulatory diseases.”
Volunteers can get involved in tasks such as telephone and logistical administration, operating tills, merchandising on the shop floor and answering customer queries. Along with the more traditional volunteer roles, many have been helping with online sales for the charity’s Depop and eBay sites, listing items while developing their e-commerce skills.
Student Emily Wright (pictured above) who volunteers at her local shop in Manchester, says: "I love volunteering at my local BHF - the shop is so cool and the people are dead friendly. I just knew I would feel welcome. There’s such a great variety of stuff to do, you couldn’t possibly get bored. I love being on the shop floor talking to all the customers - just the buzz of it. The stock they get is amazing, it’s like being in a treasure trove every day.
"Reusing people’s unwanted things is really important to me. I love fashion but not fast fashion and the impact that has on the planet, so I feel charity retail is doing something positive. It’s also great to know the money we raise in the shop is going to a fantastic cause too. I would 100 per cent recommend volunteering to other students. You have nothing to lose by giving it a go!"
The coronavirus crisis has had a devastating impact on our income, which is why we are now urging communities to support their nearest shop by taking up flexible volunteering opportunities.