Volunteering at Talking Shop

We need Volunteers: Join the Team & Help us Run things Through the Week

Local shops are a valuable community resource, a lifeline to those who are without a car, who live alone or care for others. Ours is no different.

Working in our new community shop & cafe offers a great opportunity to get experience in retail, cooking or hospitality. And you will be part of a very friendly team running a much needed community hub for local people.

We are looking for enthusiastic and friendly people to join our teams. We have two great core teams and we’re always very happy to get new applicants for those – Kitchen Assistants and Shop & Cafe Assistants – but we are flexible and you’d be welcome to spend time in one or both. We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience (including none!!).

There could be opportunities to develop particular responsibilities if you are interested (for example, shop display work, stock ordering and management, cooking skills, menu planning etc). Full training and support will be provided.

How long can I volunteer for?

Our key weekday shifts are from 9am to 1pm, and from 12:45 to 5pm. For more about the weekday shop & cafe, click here.

On Saturday mornings, there are shifts at different times from 7.30am to 1pm. For more about the Saturday market, click here.

There are also spaces for people to take on particular responsibilities that they could complete more flexibly in their own time – have a chat to us if something like this would be more suited to you.

You may like to commit to a regular shift, or you may want to sign up for different shifts as and when you’re available.

All new volunteers shadow experienced team members to get started and will have a Buddy to check in with for the first 6 weeks. We will let everyone know about upcoming opportunities for specialist training (including accredited Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene).

Anyone who is interested in getting involved is invited to come up to see the space and to have a chat about the project. That way we can see what you’re interested in and how you might be able to get involved.

We provide:

  • full training and support, including from your Manager, Kylie or Ingrid, in your day-to-day work and one of our Volunteering Coordinators to help you get the most of your involvement with Talking Shop
  • a personal learning record (if you want to develop particular skills or confidence)
  • opportunities for training (for example, accredited food hygiene and safety, mental health awareness or first aid, physical first aid)
  • work references
  • a friendly, supportive, inclusive and safe environment!

Join the Board of Talking Shop

To apply or to ask any questions please email our Volunteering Coordinators: [email protected]

Or pop into the shop, say hello and leave your details for us to contact you