Do you love vintage fashion, unique finds and giving pre-loved clothing a new life?

Oxfam Vintage Manchester is a unique city-centre shop in the heart of the Northern Quarter, offering a carefully selected collection of vintage and pre-loved fashion. Every item sold helps raise vital funds for Oxfam’s work to tackle poverty and inequality around the world.

As a volunteer, you’ll help create an exciting and welcoming vintage shopping experience for our customers. Whether you already have a passion for vintage fashion or simply want to learn something new, this is a great opportunity to gain hands-on retail experience while being part of a friendly team with a shared purpose.

Here's why volunteering with Oxfam Vintage Manchester is a great opportunity:

Discover Vintage: Get hands-on experience working with vintage and pre-loved clothing, accessories and unique finds. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about different styles, brands, eras and pieces.

Develop Your Skills: Build valuable experience in retail, customer service, stock preparation, visual merchandising and teamwork — skills that can strengthen your CV and confidence.

Get Creative: Help style the shop, create eye-catching displays and present vintage pieces in ways that inspire customers.

Be Part of Manchester's Vintage Scene: Volunteer in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, surrounded by independent shops, creative spaces and a community with a strong interest in fashion and individuality.

Make a Difference: Every donation and every sale has a purpose. By helping customers discover their next favourite piece, you’re helping turn pre-loved clothing into essential funds for Oxfam’s work around the world.

Meet New People: Work alongside other volunteers and staff, meet customers from Manchester and beyond, and become part of the Oxfam community.

Flexible Volunteering: We understand that everyone has different commitments. We offer flexible volunteering opportunities, so you can give your time in a way that works for you.

Oxfam Vintage Manchester isn't just a place to find great vintage clothing. It's a place where fashion, sustainability, community and positive change come together.

What happens next?

After you apply, the Shop Manager will invite you in for an initial chat. This isn't an interview — it's an opportunity to talk about your interests, what you'd like to learn and how you'd like to get involved.

You’ll have the chance to meet the team and find out more about the different ways you can contribute to the shop

Why we want you

Please note: This role is only suitable for applicants aged 18 and over.

We're looking for friendly, reliable and enthusiastic people who want to make a difference in their community.

You don't need previous retail experience. Full training and support will be provided, so this role is suitable for people who are keen to learn and get involved.

An interest in vintage fashion, sustainable fashion, styling, retail or second-hand shopping would be great, but enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are just as important.

You might be looking for valuable work experience, hoping to develop your confidence, interested in vintage and fashion, wanting to meet new people, or simply looking for a rewarding way to spend your time.

What you will be doing

Depending on the needs of the shop and your interests, you may get involved in:

• Sorting and preparing donated vintage and pre-loved clothing and accessories.
• Steaming, pricing and preparing items for the shop floor.
• Keeping stock areas organised and making sure the shop is well stocked.
• Researching interesting vintage pieces, brands and items to help maximise their value.
• Helping customers find items and providing a friendly, welcoming service.
• Working on the till and supporting customers with their purchases.
• Creating stylish and eye-catching window and in-store displays.
• Helping with visual merchandising and styling vintage clothing.
• Photographing and listing selected items for Oxfam's online shop.
• Keeping the shop floor attractive, organised and inviting.
• Working as part of a team to support the day-to-day running of the shop.

The role may occasionally involve lifting or moving boxes and stock. We prioritise a safe working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety training to all volunteers.

The skills you need

• Reliable and able to arrive on time for your volunteering sessions.
• Friendly and approachable with customers and other members of the team.
• An interest in vintage fashion, retail, sustainability or second-hand clothing is welcomed.
• Willing to learn and try different tasks.
• Happy working as part of a team as well as using your own initiative.
• No previous retail experience is required — full training and support will be provided.

What's in it for you

• Gain hands-on experience in vintage and second-hand retail.
• Develop customer service and retail skills.
• Learn about vintage fashion, brands, styles and stock research.
• Develop your visual merchandising and styling skills.
• Grow your confidence and meet new people.
• Flexible volunteering opportunities.
• Access to training and development.
• Lunch and local travel expenses may be reimbursed in line with Oxfam's policy.
• Free confidential support through the Retail Trust.
• Possible references for future employers.

Disclaimer

We warmly welcome everyone to apply and are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse volunteering environment. If you have any particular needs, please speak to the Shop Manager so that we can consider possible adjustments.

We conduct ID checks for all volunteers and require one reference upon application. If you have any difficulties providing a reference, please speak to the Shop Manager for assistance.