Retail Volunteer

LOCATION: Tools for Self Reliance HQ, Netley Marsh SO40 7GY 

HOURS: 5 hours per week (usually 10am-3pm) - Tuesdays or Wednesdays

START DATE: As soon as possible.

Tools for Self Reliance is a charity delivering accredited trade training projects in Ghana, Uganda, Zambia and Malawi to individuals who are otherwise unable to access national courses due to financial and/or educational barriers. In the UK, our work involves taking in tool donations, refurbishing them and then sending them to our projects in tool kits to equip the trainees. Tools that are unsuitable for our Africa projects or surplus to project needs are sold in the UK to raise funds to help us continue our work.

Role purpose and activities:

Our volunteer-run, onsite shop operates out of a small unit at our main offices and workshop. Here we sell refurbished used tools, sewing machines, haberdashery, crafting supplies and other items of interest that have found their way to us instead of a scrap heap.

The shop currently opens 3 days per week, but we would like to open it for at least one extra day per week (Tuesday or Wednesday) between 10am-3pm, and will need a volunteer to run it. Please note, although the shop is small enough to be run by one person, there will always be staff onsite to provide guidance and assistance wherever required.

Activities include:

•  Running the shop for a 5-hour period
•  Providing customer service, taking payments, answering questions etc
•  Sorting and pricing donated items for sale (guidance provided).
•  Helping create attractive displays across the shop.
•  Promoting our tool sharpening services, upcoming events and other activities.
• Working with staff and other volunteers to help develop and expand the shop.

Practical considerations:

The role requires some periods of standing and lifting of items, so a reasonable level of physical fitness will be required.

Public transport facilities are available, but the use of your own car to get to our workshop is advised due to our location. 

Skills

• Sales and customer service - experience here in retail and/or other customer service would be beneficial, but not essential.
• Creativity
• Administration 
• Excellent people skills
• Ability to work unsupervised (though support is always on hand)
• Team-working