Shopmobility Shop Assistant

Shopmobility is a scheme that supports people to rent mobility scooters or other mobility aids during their visit to the city. Shopmobility is based in Chantry Place (previously Chapelfield Shopping Centre) and we are looking for volunteers to help with the day-to-day running of the shop.  

There will be several opportunities to volunteer, build your skills and meet new people! 

Role overview: 

 The role may include, but is not limited to: 

• Opening the site ready for business and helping to prepare the shop 
• Closing the shop at the end of the day 
• Greeting customers and acting as a friendly, supportive and welcoming face 
• Supporting customers to rent the equipment they need to make their shopping experience easier  
• Keeping the site looking presentable and welcoming  
• Handling cash and taking card payments  
• Supporting people to sign up as Shopmobility members and to join Equal Lives as members  
• Responding to queries on social media, email and telephone  
• Taking future bookings for the equipment 
• Cleaning vehicles when they’re returned 
• Marketing and promoting the shop 
• Some other occasional ad hoc tasks as required  

We’ll give you: 

• Comprehensive training, including GDPR, Safeguarding and Data Protection 
• The opportunity to choose your days and hours 
• An accessible city centre location 
• A variety of activities to challenge you and develop your skills 
• The opportunity to take on additional responsibilities as you gain experience 
• Specific tasks focusing on the skills you want to gain 
• A friendly and supportive team of staff and volunteers 

You will be doing really important work with this role, supporting those with mobility issues access the City to lead more independent lives. This opportunity gives you a fantastic chance to learn and develop great transferable skills. 

If you are looking for a volunteer role which gives you the chance to make a real difference to people's lives, this role could be for you. 

Volunteering Arrangements 

 The site will follow the COVID19 safety guidelines and volunteers will be reimbursed reasonable expenses incurred whilst supporting us.  

All volunteers are required to undertake our core training programme. This covers basic safeguarding and other key features, such as data protection.  

New volunteers will have an opportunity to ‘shadow’ experienced volunteers and members of staff 

Potentially, depending on the candidate, there may be additional opportunities to participate in a variety of accredited training courses. Please ask a manager for further details. 

Volunteers are required to adhere to the organisation’s policies and practice guidelines. 

Reasonable expenses, including travel whilst undertaking this role will be reimbursed. This includes mileage (currently £0.45 p/mile) and parking costs. 

Applications must include 2 satisfactory references who have known them in a professional or educational capacity for at least 12 months. Applicants must also complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check before commencing volunteering. 

Person specification 

• An awareness of disabling barriers and how these might impact upon clients, their families and carers 
• Honesty and integrity 
• An ability to be empathic, whilst maintaining professional boundaries 
• Reliability, and only committing to a level of volunteering which is realistic 
• Good interpersonal skills 
• Confident and outgoing 
• The ability to be non-judgemental 
• Good verbal and written communication skills 
• Excellent listening skills 
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team 
• Sound administrative skills, and an ability to maintain accurate records 
• Commitment to attend training courses and team meetings 
• Ability to follow organisational policies and procedures including safeguarding, data protection and health and safety  
• Dedicated to the empowerment of disabled people 
• Conscientious and honest  
• Someone who enjoys a challenge  
• Looking for a new opportunity  
• Dedicated to making disabled people’s voices heard