Punk Against Poverty is a Torbay-based social enterprise supporting local people facing crisis and hardship. We raise funds through our charity shop, community drop-ins, outreach activity, and fundraising events.
Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do — and we need a strong, confident, organised and people-focused leader to help our volunteer team thrive while ensuring our shop runs smoothly and successfully.
About the Role
We are looking for a Training & Volunteer Recruitment Lead to take the lead on recruiting, supporting and supervising volunteers across our charity shop and wider community activity.
This role is ideal for someone with experience managing a charity shop or leading a volunteer team in a busy environment.
This role is initially funded for 9 months through The National Lottery Community Fund. We will actively seek further funding opportunities, however applicants should apply on the understanding that this is a fixed-term 9 month contract.
You will be responsible for ensuring the shop is fully staffed, rotas are covered, volunteers are supported and motivated, and standards are consistently high. You’ll also support volunteers at community events, fundraising activities and outreach sessions.
This is a hands-on role. You will be based mainly in our shop and will need to feel confident managing day-to-day issues such as rota gaps, volunteer reliability, customer service standards, and difficult conversations when needed.
Key Responsibilities
Volunteer Leadership & Supervision
- Lead and support volunteers across the charity shop, community drop-ins, outreach activity and events.
- Act as the main point of contact for volunteers, offering guidance, encouragement and clear direction.
- Provide supervision, support and problem-solving in a busy environment.
- Maintain a positive team culture where everyone contributes fairly and feels valued.
- Be confident addressing attendance issues, performance concerns and volunteer conflict when needed.
Volunteer Recruitment & Safer Onboarding
- Lead the recruitment of volunteers through targeted marketing campaigns, community outreach, and social media management to maximise engagement.
- Recruit volunteers in line with safer recruitment procedures.
- Coordinate volunteer applications, informal interviews, references and checks.
- Deliver volunteer inductions and ensure volunteers understand expectations and boundaries.
- Match volunteers to roles that suit their skills, strengths and availability.
- Ensure volunteer records are accurate and up to date.
- Work to volunteer recruitment targets
Rota Management & Staffing
- Create and manage volunteer rotas to ensure shop opening hours are consistently covered.
- Work to improve volunteer communication around availability and time off to ensure rotas are organised in advance and not subject to last minute changes
- Monitor volunteer capacity and act quickly to fill gaps when volunteers are unavailable.
- Maintain a reliable volunteer base that supports shop income and charity activity targets.
Retail Support & Shop Standards
- Support the volunteer team to maintain high shop standards and excellent customer service.
- Help ensure the shop is welcoming, well-organised and runs efficiently day-to-day.
- Train volunteers in all aspects of their role and look to identify individual skills and suitable duties within the shop
- Encourage volunteers to work efficiently and confidently in a retail setting.
- Support the shop to maximise income and fundraising potential.
Fundraising & External Events
- Coordinate volunteers supporting fundraising events and external community activities.
- Assist with event planning, set-up and delivery.
- Ensure volunteers understand their responsibilities and feel confident in their roles.
- Represent Punk Against Poverty professionally at events and in the community.
Safeguarding, Equality & Policies
- Ensure all volunteer activity follows safeguarding, GDPR, health & safety and equality policies.
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
- Escalate safeguarding or welfare concerns in line with policy.
- Promote inclusive volunteering opportunities and support volunteers with additional needs.
Administration & Reporting
- Maintain accurate volunteer records including attendance and involvement.
- Support monitoring and reporting on volunteer contribution and impact.
- Communicate clearly with volunteers to ensure smooth delivery of shop and event activity.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Experience supervising volunteers or staff in a retail, charity, or community setting.
- Retail or customer service experience (charity retail experience highly desirable).
- Confident managing rotas, staffing levels, and day-to-day operational issues.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Fast learner with the ability to hit the ground running.
- Confident communicator with a friendly but firm leadership style.
- Comfortable dealing with challenging situations professionally and calmly.
- Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, GDPR, equality and health & safety.
- Able to work independently and take responsibility for delivery.
- Flexible availability including weekends and occasional evenings.
- Compassionate and able to support volunteers who may face barriers to employment.
- Strong IT skills (Google Docs/Sheets or Microsoft Office).
Desirable (But Not Essential)
- Experience managing a charity shop or supporting shop income targets.
- Experience recruiting and onboarding volunteers.
- Experience supporting fundraising events and community outreach.
- Visual merchandising or stock presentation experience.
- Knowledge of fashion brands, reselling trends or second-hand retail.
- Canva skills for simple promotional materials.
- Safeguarding Level 2 or 3.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Personal Qualities
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Confident, organised and proactive.
- Supportive and encouraging, but able to set clear boundaries.
- Firm but fair in their approach to leadership.
- Motivated by community impact and tackling poverty.
- Comfortable working in a busy shop environment.
- Able to spot strengths in people and help them develop.
What We Offer
- A meaningful role supporting local people in crisis.
- A friendly, supportive team and strong community values.
- The chance to shape and grow our volunteer programme.
- Staff discount and access to external discount schemes.
- Casual dress.
- The opportunity to make a real difference every day.
Contract Information
- Fixed-term contract: 9 months
- Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund
- Part time position (16 hours a week)
- Potential for extension subject to future funding
Important Information
This role involves working with volunteers and members of the public, including people who may be vulnerable or experiencing hardship. The postholder must be comfortable working in an environment where safeguarding and confidentiality are essential.
Safeguarding Statement
Punk Against Poverty is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. Successful candidates may be required to undertake appropriate safeguarding checks.
Pay: £14.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Employee discount
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
