Book department volunteer. Poole shop

Join the community

Oxfam are experts in selling second-hand books! And we want your help. We are the largest chain of second-hand booksellers in Europe and sell 22 million books annually. That’s why we need volunteers like you to help in our book department.

Whether you have years of experience or are totally new to retail, you will be part of a fantastic team here. Our book department is a key part of our busy shop. We’ll share our expertise with you and give you all the training and support you need to help us make the most of our wonderful donated books.

Oxfam shops are a great place to volunteer, learn about retail, and get involved with your local community.

About this role

We will give you all the training and support you need so you will develop your skills as part of our team. You don’t need to have any experience – we’ve got you covered. You can also get some lunch and travel costs too. Whatever you need, we’re here to help.

You can learn about any part of volunteering that interests you the most whether it’s working with books, people, admin, social media, or a bit of everything. As a Book Department Volunteer, you’ll develop skills that boost your confidence.

• Put your expertise to good use by focussing on what interests you the most
• Or branch out and learn about something completely new
• Learn to make the most of donations by checking, researching, and pricing books
• Improve your communication skills as part of a team
• Creating attractive displays in the shop

Volunteering that works for you

Volunteering can be very flexible to suit you. So even if your availability or skills don’t match this role, get in touch and we will find something right for you. By volunteering for a few hours a week, you will meet new people and have some fun for a good cause.

Everyone has something to offer

At Oxfam we know that everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role which works for you. You can find out more about volunteering with Oxfam here.

What happens next?

After you apply the manager will ask you to come in for an initial chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you'd like to do in the shop. From there you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!