Information for potential volunteers
About the shop and its team of volunteers
Radley Village Shop is a community shop owned, run and staffed by volunteers for the benefit of the Radley community. It’s managed by a paid Shop Manager and overseen by a Management Committee of elected volunteers.
Each and every volunteer has a valuable contribution to make, and you will be given as much training and support as is necessary. We want our volunteers to feel comfortable and safe working in the Shop, and have put in place procedures to ensure this happens.
Whilst everyone is working on a voluntary basis, we hope all volunteers will understand the need to make the Shop an efficient and ‘professional’ enterprise so that it remains economically viable and a valued community resource. Volunteers working in the shop are asked to wear a name badge and one of the blue aprons provided for staff.
As well as looking after our customers, volunteers are asked to help keep the Shop looking clean, attractive and welcoming so that people will want to come back. We value any suggestions or comments and endeavour to deal with problems effectively.
About the rota
We strive to have at least two staff in the Shop. Some volunteers work a regular shift (e.g. weekly or fortnightly). Others are asked to sign up (when they can) for unfilled shifts.
Shop opening hours
Monday to Friday: 7.00 am to 5.00 pm (4 shifts)
Saturday and Sunday: 9.00 am to 12.00 pm (2 shifts)
The weekly rotas produced by the Rota Manager are displayed in the staff area with unfilled shifts highlighted. Volunteers are asked to check whether they can fill any of these and, if they can, to write their name on the space on the sheet and let the Rota Manager know (rota@radleyvillageshop.com).
You will be asked for your email address on the volunteer application form. One of the questions on this form is whether you’d like a regular shift and/or would be happy to be contacted by email by the Rota Manager about unfilled shifts in a particular week.
To help the Rota Manager draw up the rota, volunteers are asked to put any dates they’re unavailable or on holiday on the list near the rota sheets.
The Shop can only work with the goodwill of all volunteers. We want our customers to be able to rely on the Shop being open as advertised, so we never have to close because we don’t have staff on duty. It’s vital you keep to your commitment to work a shift or give as much notice as possible if you’re unable to do so.
If it turns out you can’t do a shift you’ve been allocated, please try to find someone to swap shifts or replace you. Please make sure the rota in the shop is updated with any changes. If necessary, ask the Rota Manager or the Shop Manager for help.
Note: If you’re not feeling well on the day of your shift (and especially if you have vomiting or diarrhoea), let the Shop know and please don’t come for your shift. If you’re taken ill during your shift, please let someone take you home. This is not only for your sake but also in the interests of the other volunteers and customers.
Training
All volunteers will be trained in:
- safe food handling
- using the till
- dealing with card payments, vouchers and cashback
- selling alcohol and tobacco
- fire, health and safety procedures
- maintaining appropriate records
- general shop duties.
On some shifts, volunteers will also need to know about opening and closing procedures, baking, cashing up, dealing with newspapers, dealing with deliveries and putting new stock out on display. Training in these tasks will be given as needed.
After your initial training, you will be allocated a ‘mentor’ – a fellow volunteer who will keep in contact with you to help you with any questions or problems.
Following initial training, volunteers have a ‘settling in’ period of three months, at which point unsuitable volunteers may be asked to reconsider their continuation with the Shop.
Any questions?
We’re always happy to answer questions from prospective volunteers. You can pop into the shop, or email the Rota Manager (rota@radleyvillageshop.com) or the Volunteer Trainer (training@radleyvillageshop.com).
Next step
If you decide you’d like to join the volunteer team, please download and complete the volunteer application form, and then save and email your completed form to the Volunteer Trainer (training@radleyvillageshop.com).
Alternatively, you can use the Contact Form to tell us you’re interested in becoming a volunteer and either the Rota Manager or the Volunteer Trainer will be in touch.
Or you can pick up a paper copy of the application form from the Shop.
23 March 2025