Volunteer Role Description
Swap Shop Volunteer
If you are interested in re-use, learning new skills and working with the community and have a few hours to spare each week then this may be the role for you!
About the volunteering opportunity
Grow Green with Glasgow’s East End is the community-led environmental project run by Playbusters (holder of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service) and we have been running a successful fashion exchange shop, Simply Swap, since July 2011. The swap shop lets people revamp their wardrobe for free by exchanging their good condition unwanted clothes and fashion items for others.
We have recently moved location from Tollcross to Dennistoun and are looking for new Simply Swap Volunteers where you’ll have a fantastic opportunity to make a big difference! This diverse opportunity has lots of areas to get involved in. Volunteers promote community spirit, share skills and learn from each other and it is an opportunity to work with a friendly, welcoming team and meet new friends. This group is looking for new enthusiastic members and you can participate in a variety of opportunities within the shop depending on your interests.
The shop is a unique space, fitted out using reclaimed items (e.g. the clothes rails are made from wooden pallets and broom handles), and if DIY/design is your interest we still have room to improve the fixtures, fittings and image of the shop. You can lead workshops around recycled/reused arts and crafts and share how to creatively change one thing into another. You can also learn more about recycling and reducing the amount of waste in your life or share your knowledge with customers and other volunteers if you’re already familiar. All this in addition to interacting with customers, helping them to understand what we’re doing and why, and making them feel comfortable in the shop while they freshen up their wardrobe.
You will work alongside other volunteers/staff and can access development opportunities in our valued volunteer team. You will be directly supported by the Volunteer Development Officer and Climate Change Officer.
Role Description
As a volunteer, you can take part in some or all of these activities depending on your interests:
· Meet and greet customers and explain how the shop works and why it exists
· Attend to customers and record details of the swap
· Sort and steam the clothes
· Display items on shop floor and create window displays
· Promote the activities of the shop (potential to explore PR opportunities)
· Improve and add to fixtures, fittings and image of shop
· Co-ordinate and lead reuse workshops (with support from the Climate Change Officer)
· Promote and encourage all aspects of waste reduction
You will work together in a friendly team, getting to know each other and each other’s strengths.
When - The group currently meets every Thursday 9.30am – 5pm and Friday 9.30am –3pm, including a lunch-break. You can decide when and for how long you would like to volunteer.
Where - The Simply Swap shop is located at 439 Duke St, Dennistoun, Glasgow, G31 1RY. It is serviced by First Glasgow buses 8, 40 and 41 and is a 5 minute walk from Bellgrove train station.
The Playbusters office is 1345-1351 Gallowgate, Parkhead, G31 4DN. Various buses including 61, 62, 40, 240, 255 drop you off near the office, next to Parkhead Forge at Parkhead Cross.
Skills/experience - You do not need any experience to do this but the following qualities are desirable:
· good interpersonal skills and work well in a team
· reliable, trustworthy and respectful
· interested in providing good customer care
· good sense of humour.
Saltire Awards – We offer Saltire Awards for those volunteers under age 26.
Taster Sessions - We encourage any potential volunteer to observe and/or take part in a session so they can have a feel for the project and see if it’s the right volunteering opportunity for them.
Support for Volunteers - After the initial induction we would provide support and supervision sessions from the Volunteer Development Officer and Grow Green Officers. Our helpful volunteers and staff would provide ongoing support during the times of the sessions. Our volunteers can access further training and development opportunities as they arise as well as enjoying social activities and volunteer celebration events.
Expenses - We are happy to pay reasonable public transport rates and an allowance for lunch on submission of receipts/tickets. We are happy to reimburse reasonable mileage for car users. Please contact us to find out the up to date rate we are currently using to reimburse.
Application Process - The application process will include the following:
Taster Session, Informal Chat, Application Form, References
You can phone, email or write to Ellen at the details below or come in and see her for more information and we will contact you as soon as possible to make further arrangements to see if Simply Swap is the volunteering opportunity for you.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Ellen McVey * Volunteer Development Officer
Playbusters Ltd * 1345-1351 Gallowgate * Parkhead * Glasgow, G31 4DN
0141 551 0071 * ellen@playbusters.org.uk