Volunteers needed to help with second-hand Christmas shopping surge

Oxfam is looking for volunteers in South London to donate their time amid the festive second-hand shopping surge.

With dozens of shops across South London – including Oxfam’s Balham bookshop in Balham High Street – preparing for another busy Christmas, Oxfam is calling on residents to volunteer and help raise vital funds to tackle poverty and inequality.

Manon Deloge, deputy shop manager at Oxfam’s Balham bookshop, said: “Christmas is one of the busiest and most wonderful times of the year at our shops and volunteers are absolutely essential to helping everything run over the festive season.

“Whatever time you have to spare, we would love to welcome more volunteers into our Oxfam shop this Christmas and into the New Year. 

“It’s the perfect way to gain new skills, take on a new challenge and have fun – as well as helping make a difference and raise life-saving money at a time when it’s most needed.”

Volunteers can gift as little or as much time as they have to spare across the festive period and beyond, to help with everything from working on the till, dressing windows, sorting donations and interacting with customers.

With just two weeks to go until Christmas, festive second-hand shopping is in full force with Oxfam’s latest survey finding a quarter of adults are set to buy second-hand gifts for children this Christmas.

Oxfam’s volunteer marketing manager, Zara Canfield, said: “Our volunteers’ efforts over the festive season are so important for our Oxfam shops. 

“They are not only there to help shoppers with everything they need to make their Christmas perfect, but they are also helping us to raise vital funds to tackle poverty and inequality across the world.

“In the lead up to our busiest time of year, we would love to encourage people to consider giving the gift of a little time this Christmas or the New Year, to help make a difference with Oxfam.”

Find out more and apply at Oxfam Volunteers.

Pictured top: Staff at Oxfam’s Balham bookshop in Balham High Street (Picture: Oxfam)

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