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Charity shops: the unsung heroes of the high street

Charity shops are thriving like never before. With bargain hunters and sustainability enthusiasts flocking to high streets for pre-loved treasures, charity shops are seeing record-breaking sales. According to the Charity Retail Association, these stores generated an incredible £387 million in profits for charities in 2022/23. This upward trend shows no sign of slowing, with income increasing by a further 0.8% in early 2024 compared to the same period last year.

Behind the scenes, however, are the unsung heroes: the volunteers. They are the driving force that keeps the shelves stocked, the tills ringing, and the shops thriving. But as the demand for volunteers grows, so do the challenges of recruiting and retaining them. For charity leaders and volunteer managers, the question is clear—how can they attract, manage, and engage volunteers effectively to secure long-term success?

2 minutes

by Stephen Gott

Charity Solutions Expert

Posted 09/12/2024

Simplifying recruitment and management: Dorothy House’s success story

One organisation leading the way is Dorothy House Hospice Care, a charity offering compassionate care to adults with life-limiting illnesses. With 27 stores across its network, Dorothy House relies heavily on its volunteers to support critical fundraising efforts. Last year, they recruited 61 more volunteers than the previous year—a testament to their innovative approach to volunteer management.

Central to this success was a partnership with The Access Group, whose Access Assemble platform transformed the charity’s recruitment and management processes. By introducing QR codes for easy volunteer applications and automating data input, Dorothy House significantly streamlined their operations. Rachel Stewart, Volunteer Manager at Dorothy House, shared her perspective:

“The whole system now is really slick compared to what we had before. It’s changed how we operate and work so much; it’s sped things up and made the lives of our charity shop managers easier.”

This modern approach also helped Dorothy House diversify their volunteer base, attracting individuals from a wider range of age groups and backgrounds.

Why volunteer management matters

The role of volunteers in the success of charity shops cannot be overstated. As Robin Osterley, CEO of the Charity Retail Association, explains:

“Good volunteer management is crucial to ensuring that shops can continue to operate effectively and that volunteers feel valued and confident in their roles.”

By investing in robust volunteer management tools and practices, charities can ensure their teams feel supported and appreciated. This not only improves retention but also enhances the overall volunteer experience—a win-win for charities and their retail operations.

Preparing for the future

While the charity retail boom shows no immediate signs of slowing, preparing for the future is essential. Charities must continue to innovate, investing in tools and systems that attract and retain volunteers while optimising operational efficiency. Solutions like Access Assemble provide the perfect example of how technology can support the human element of volunteering, ensuring sustainability for years to come.

How Access Not-For-Profit Can Help

At Access Not-For-Profit, we are proud to support charities with industry-leading news, insights, and tailored solutions. Our cloud-based software is designed to help you attract, manage, and engage both donors and volunteers effectively. From CRM and volunteer management to digital advertising and donation processing, our feature-rich solutions are trusted by organisations across the sector.

If volunteer management is a priority for your organisation, discover how Access Assemble can streamline your recruitment processes, enhance volunteer experiences, and boost your operational success. Find out more about Access Assemble here.

With Access, you can empower your charity to thrive today and prepare for tomorrow.

By Stephen Gott

Charity Solutions Expert

Stephen is excited by how technology can accelerate our impact and empower us to achieve more. For the last 20 years, he has worked and collaborated with many Not For Profits who have created incredible outcomes, often with limited resources. Stephen is passionate about supporting the sector and is proud of the work that we do to increase the reach and impact of our clients.

He started out providing consultancy, bespoke solutions and managing CRM implementations before moving into Product Management where he headed up the development and launch of Charity CRM. 

These days he can mostly be found looking for ways to help our clients harness tech to achieve their goals and boost their scale and efficiency. He is a big advocate of appropriate technology and ensuring that solutions can be effectively adopted.