Volunteers needed in Newport as countdown to second-hand Christmas shopping surge begins

Oxfam is looking for volunteers in Newport to give the greatest gift of all this Christmas and donate their time ahead of the festive second-hand shopping surge.

The shop on Upper Bar is preparing for another busy Christmas, so Oxfam is calling on residents to generously donate some of their time to volunteering and help raise vital funds to tackling poverty and inequality across the world.

In August, the store began operating part-time hours due to a staff shortage. 

Last month, the team took to social media to reassure customers they were "definitely not closing down" and would be back open "very soon". 

Volunteers can offer 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 now less than 50 days until Christmas, it is expected to be a busy winter season of second-hand shopping - with an Oxfam survey last year showing a third of people would be buying pre-loved Christmas gifts.

Oxfam Volunteer Marketing Manager Zara Canfield, says: “Christmas is one of the busiest and most wonderful times of the year in 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 difference and raise life-saving money at a time when it’s most needed.

“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 to help make a difference with Oxfam.”

More information is available online at: oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-with-us