Volunteer in our shops

Every shirt you steam, book you sell, or shopper you serve will help us bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

What should you expect?

Volunteering in our shops is varied, exciting and rewarding. No two days are the same, and you have the chance to flex different skills regularly.

Here are some of the tasks you could help with:

Helping our customers.
Rotating stock, sorting, steaming and tagging pre-loved items.
Setting up window displays to keep the shop looking its best.
Serving at the till to process those all-important sales.

What our shop volunteering roles will offer you

Volunteering is easy and flexible and can be designed to fit around your personal and work commitments. Here are a few things you will gain from your shop volunteer role:

Join a fantastic team, be part of your local community and make new friends.
Build your confidence. Our friendly team will be there to support you all the way.
And most importantly, help change lives for people affected by cancer.
Build on existing or gain new skills.

A woman looking at jewellery in a Cancer Research UK shop.

Illustration of a laptop showing a Cancer Research UK webpage.

Step: 1

Browse our shop list to find one that suits you.

Illustration of a hand holding a mobile phone, showing a Cancer Research UK webpage.

Step: 2

Fill in the application form and we will be in touch to arrange a store visit.

Illustration showing a group of four volunteers, standing in a shop and waving.

Step: 3

Come in, meet the team and talk to the Shop Manager about your availability.

Hear from our volunteers

Meet David

Volunteering has always been a big part of my life. It’s me giving back to the community. I see volunteering as a micro-holiday, it gives me time away from the stresses of university and life and allows me to be a kind member of the community.

- David, Edinburgh Davidsons Shop Volunteer

Meet Leslie and Walter

It is magic to be able to support each other volunteering in the shop and we usually manage to have our tea breaks together as well. The managers and all the team are so friendly and hardworking, and we both look forward to volunteering in the shop every week.

- Lesley & Walter, Aberdeen Union Street Shop Volunteers

You need to be 18 or over to register to volunteer online

If you are aged between 16 and 17 you may still be able to volunteer in our shops but you must be on a recognised scheme, for example the Duke of Edinburgh. All you need to do is pop into your local store and speak to the shop manager.

If you’re not part of a scheme, you can still support us by volunteering at an event or by setting up your own fundraising project. All our opportunities will give you the chance to learn plenty of new skills.

Volunteer Hub

The Volunteer Hub is a dedicated area for our volunteers. Here you can keep up to date with the latest volunteering information, read news from across Cancer Research UK or tell us about your experience with us.

Visit the Volunteer Hub

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Cancer Research UK Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and the wellbeing of our volunteers is important to us.

A workforce that is diverse and inclusive will help us to reach our full potential as an organisation by supporting our people to reach theirs. We have committed networks across the organisation working to ensure that these aims are met.

We are keen to learn more and be more inclusive, so please tell us if you have any ideas on how we can make that happen. Email us at volunteering@cancer.org.uk.

Can't find what you're looking for?

Take a look at our FAQ page if you have any questions still unanswered. Want to speak to one of the Volunteering team?

Visit our FAQ page

Contact us

Our opening hours are 8am – 6pm, Monday – Friday.