Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Wandsworth Oasis
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
Book a collection Donate
Menu
  • What we do
    • About Oasis
    • Social impact
      • Our Projects
      • Green Agenda
      • Charity shop social impact
    • Testimonials and Reviews
    • Our team
      • Meet the Trustees
      • Senior Leadership Team
    • Accounts and awards
    • Vacancies
  • About HIV
    • HIV information
  • Our shops
    • Our shops
    • What we sell
    • Collections
    • Where does the money go
    • Online shop
  • Get involved
    • Help us raise money
    • Volunteers
      • Join us as a volunteer
      • Volunteer application form
      • Volunteer stories
    • Friends of Oasis
    • Fundraise for us
      • Fundraising ideas
      • Fundraising events
      • Set up your own fundraising page
  • Apply for grant
    • Apply for a grant
    • Types of Grant
  • News and events
    • News
    • Blog
      • Blog blog blogs
      • Submit your blog
    • Events
  • COVID-19
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Join us as a volunteer
  1. Get involved
  2. Volunteers
  3. Join us as a volunteer

Join us as a volunteer

Wandsworth Oasis' shops are the lifeblood of the charity, and the volunteers who work in them are THE most important part of our distinctive and friendly locations around Wandsworth and Lambeth. While we do have some paid members of staff, we couldn't keep our group of charity shops open seven days a week, 365 days a year (pretty much!) without the incredible, dedicated support of our volunteers. They sort and price donations, keep the shops tidy, create window displays, do the admin and cashing up, and provide support at fundraising events.

It is because of our wonderful volunteers that we have such a loyal customer and donor base. They know the books certain customers like to read, give advice on clothing, all while gently persuading customers that they really do want that little knick-knack!

Our volunteers are all very different and join us for different reasons. Each demonstrates how the Wandsworth Oasis ethos plays a role in the local community, in a way that perhaps larger charity shops can’t. It’s that oasis of support thing again: reaching out and back again in all directions.

Everyone gets a second chance at Wandsworth Oasis

We believe everyone deserves a second (or even third) chance – some of our most fantastic and reliable volunteers are recovering alcoholics/drug addicts, or have a criminal record. These people are working hard to turn their lives around and are voluntarily giving something back. In return, we provide crucial work experience and non-judgmental support to help them get their lives back on track.

We also believe in Christian values and a sense of local community. Many of our volunteers share these values and have been with us, literally, for years. They are the sole reason why some people come into the charity shops – a friendly face, a chat and a cup of tea (if we've remembered to buy some milk!). Our volunteers strive to make our shops unique community centres that welcome all.

Work experience in a charity shop can help with your CV

There are still lots of people out of work just looking for an opportunity to show what they are capable of doing. We offer volunteer placements in our charity shops for people on Job Seekers Allowance. All volunteers who have successfully volunteered with us for a reasonable length of time will get a reference as well as some really important skills, such as customer service, cash handling, display and administration.

We also welcome individuals looking to gain a position in the trades. Things are always breaking down or need fixing in a charity shop - plus we also need a lot of second-hand electrical items PAT tested - so we are always overjoyed when someone handy or willing to learn comes along wanting to volunteer.

We accept volunteers from the age of 14 but all under 18 year old's must have the consent of a parent or guardian. For more information check with your local shop manager.

We are unfortunately unable to offer students work experience during this time due to COVID-19 and risks this could pose to both parties. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. 

Apply to be a volunteer today - it's quick and easy

We need volunteers in all our charity shops and to help out with events and fundraising. If you are interested in applying as a volunteer at Wandsworth Oasis, you can do so Apply to be a volunteer.

And if you want to find out more about our loyal volunteers, you can read some of their stories here.

For any other enquiries about volunteering with us please email [email protected] 

Due to the very difficult and unpredictable times caused by COVID-19 we know many people may have been furloughed or even be out of a job at this time. Why not consider volunteering. It is a great way to gain new skills, make friends and give something back to your community. Many of our volunteers do go on to paid positions so it is always worth a try. 

Published: 28th September, 2017

Updated: 13th April, 2021

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • The Past 10 Years of Wandsworth Oasis

    The Past 10 Years of Wandsworth Oasis

    The past 10 years of Wandsworth Oasis in words and pictures...

  • COVID-19 safety procedures

    COVID-19 safety procedures

    Our COVID-19 safety procedures throughout our shops

  • HIV testing

    HIV testing

    News on HIV testing

  • Charity Shop TV launch – behind the idea with Gill Perkins

    Charity Shop TV launch – behind the idea with Gill Perkins

    The idea behind Charity Shop TV...

Related

  • The Past 10 Years of Wandsworth Oasis

    The Past 10 Years of Wandsworth Oasis

    The past 10 years of Wandsworth Oasis in words and pictures...

  • HIV testing

    HIV testing

    News on HIV testing

  • Charity Shop TV

    Charity Shop TV

    The official launch of the brand new Charity Shop TV channel in conjunction with our media partner Riverside Radio. Episode two airing tomorrow at 6pm!

  • Don't Let Shrapnel Wound Your Sofa!

    Don't Let Shrapnel Wound Your Sofa!

    Why not donate it to Wandsworth Oasis?

  • Charity Retail Innovation - Donations please!

    Video brought to you by Globechain reuse marketplace - how charity shops can be innovative with their donations...

  • Active Minds, Active Souls

    Active Minds, Active Souls

    In December 2016, we awarded Body & Soul £4,720 towards their Active Bodies Active Souls Programme targeted at their service-users of all ages living with and closely affected by HIV This funding has enabled them to deliver a series of workshops based on their five key impact areas - physical health; mental health; psychosocial wellbeing; practical support; and productivity.

  • Mildmay's Mission

    Mildmay's Mission

    We have been working with Mildmay Hospital for many years and never cease to be amazed by the transformative work they do with people affected by HIV related dementia. We are very proud to have funded their computer suite for the last two years.

  • Food for Thought from the FoodChain

    Food for Thought from the FoodChain

    We aim to support the most vulnerable people living with HIV in London. The circumstances of the people we have helped through our grant to The FoodChain range from uncertain residency, food poverty and social isolation to living on incomes of less than £100 a week. Good nutrition is vital to the immune system, so the education and physical support from The Foodchain remains vital.

  • Volunteer stories

    Volunteer stories

  • Why volunteer

    Why volunteer

    Replace this with your content

Most read

  • 127 Mitcham Lane, Furzedown

    127 Mitcham Lane, Furzedown

    One of our oldest and most popular shops, just down the road from Tooting Common.

  • Amen Corner, Tooting

    Amen Corner, Tooting

    One of our largest shops, situated a stone's throw from Tooting's Amen Corner.

  • 553 Battersea Park Road, Battersea

    553 Battersea Park Road, Battersea

    The longest serving of our Battersea shops, a few doors down from our very first!

  • 45 Old Town, Clapham

    45 Old Town, Clapham

    Our beautiful shop in the heart of Clapham's Old Town.

  • Book a collection

    Wandsworth Oasis is one of the very few charities in south London to collect items from your home or business for recycling and sales through our stores

  • What we sell

    What we sell

  • 138 Garratt Lane, Wandsworth

    138 Garratt Lane, Wandsworth

    Just a short stroll from Wandsworth Southside or Earlsfield station!

  • 2-4 Leigham Court Rd, Streatham

    2-4 Leigham Court Rd, Streatham

    Our first addition to the flock in neighbouring Lambeth.

  • Oasis Kids, 40-42 Trinity Rd, Tooting Bec

    Oasis Kids, 40-42 Trinity Rd, Tooting Bec

    Toys, clothes, games, shoes... all under one roof!

  • 308-310 Battersea Park Rd, Battersea

    308-310 Battersea Park Rd, Battersea

    Wandsworth Oasis at 308 Battersea Park road is a big, bright shop selling fantastic items of pre-loved furniture!

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

All of our charity shops, most located in the Wandsworth borough, are hugely grateful for any donations of clothing, accessories, books, DVDs, CDs, vinyl, furniture, small electrical items, bric-a-brac, bedding, curtains or kitchenware.

However, we are unable to accept large electrical goods, such as refrigerators, washing machines, or upholstered items missing fire safety tags. For a more detailed list of what we can and can’t take, please visit our What We Sell page.

Find your nearest shop here.

Contact us

Head Office
45 Old Town London SW4 0JL
020 3638 1630 (finance and admin)

Due to these exceptional circumstances our head office phone is not currently being manned or picking up messages. If you have an urgent enquiry please email [email protected]. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. 

If you have a query about a collection of donations please email [email protected] 

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Customer Complaints Procedure

Copyright © 2017 Wandsworth Oasis. Charity number 1126061. All Rights Reserved.

Following government guidance we are pleased to announce our shops are now all reopen. We look forward to welcoming you back again.