©InfoWe have a great programme to help our young charity shop volunteers develop their retail skills while making a difference in their communities.
Certificate in retail skills
Whether you think your future lies in retail or you just love to shop, why not give our certificate in retail skills a go?
How would I be helping people?
Our charity shops raise vital money to fund our services and help people both locally and internationally. As a charity shop volunteer, you could find yourself:
- helping and serving customers
- sorting and pricing clothes and other items
- designing shop windows and other displays.
How would the certificate help me?
Our certificate in retail skills is a personal development programme for young charity shop volunteers under the age of 26. It will empower you to get the most from your volunteering, identify the activities you enjoy the most and make your CV stand out from the crowd.
Can I volunteer in a shop without getting the certificate?
Certainly. You can find out how on our shop volunteering page. Our charity shop volunteers in England can also earn a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) by volunteering with us.
What is involved in the certificate?
©InfoThe certificate is all about having fun and giving back to your community, so there are no exams or formal assessments. You simply volunteer in one of our shops and record your progress in a booklet that we provide.
There are two levels you can complete:
- Standard level – takes about 40 hours to complete
- Advanced level – takes around 100 hours to complete
What is the standard level certificate?
Our standard level certificate lets you experience everything that goes on in the shop.
By the end you will have a good understanding of the retail sector, charity shops and the Red Cross.
You will need to complete two sections, each of which take around 20 hours of volunteering:
- On the shop floor
- Behind the scenes
What is the advanced level certificate?
©InfoOur advanced level certificate gives you a deeper understanding of how the shop works, so you have to complete the standard level before tackling the advanced level.
You can choose which areas of the shop interest you most and focus on them.
You will need to complete four of the following sections:
- Getting outside
- Let’s get creative
- Introduction to management
- It’s all about the stock
- The wonderful world of paperwork
- Your project
Each section should take you about 25 hours of volunteering to complete, except the project which takes 50 hours and counts as two sections.
How do I apply?
Contact your nearest Red Cross charity shop manager about current opportunities near you.
Learn more about charity Shop volunteering
Find out about our National Vocational Qualification scheme
Find out why you should volunteer with us