Retail volunteering: Gaining experience within your community

Volunteering may not be the first thing that comes to mind as an extracurricular, but many Elgin Academy pupils are turning to charity shop doors to give back to their communities. 

Gaining experience has never been more valuable within the world of employment, and working at a charity shop allows you to develop a range of transferable skills which will aid pupils within the workforce.

With Elgin being home to several charity shops, it brings the question: who works behind the counter? At most charity shops, it is made up of volunteers as well as the employed staff. Depending on the shop, you can volunteer from as young as 14. 

Alana Baird, S5, has been volunteering at Barnardo’s for over a year. 

She said: “I started volunteering to give back to the community whilst earning my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award. It’s definitely given me more patience and I’m more confident with speaking to people.

“If you’re thinking of volunteering then I’d say take the opportunity as soon as it comes! You won’t regret it.”

Alana is currently completing her Silver Duke of Edinburgh award, and has been heavily supported by the team at Barnardos.

There is a range of jobs you do while volunteering, whether it be putting out clothes and books, working at the check out, or testing out games to make sure they have all the parts. There is never a dull shift while volunteering, and the skills learnt are incredibly useful and transferable to the outside world. 

Whether you’re a student, a parent, or a teacher: volunteering is for everyone and even a contribution of 2 hours a week goes a long way.