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Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales. Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.



What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
Receiving donated goods from members of the public
Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
Processing sales and serving on the till
Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone


Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

Motivated and hardworking
Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
A team player
Friendly and helpful
Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
Respectful of others and their diversity
Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.


What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind
Access to Sense discounts and advice, including cashback and discounts on hight street brands, as well as 10% off at Sense charity shops.


About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.