Careers with the Fishermen's Mission

A career with the Fishermen’s Mission is one where you can make a real difference to the lives of fishermen and their families in the UK.

Charity Shop Assistant

Our charity shop in Helston is an important part of the local community that supports active and former fishermen, along with their families, across the UK. As our new shop assistant, you will be part of a valued community hub – welcoming regular customers, volunteers, and supporters of the Fishermen’s Mission.

About the role:

You will be working to keep the store running smoothly on some of our busiest trading days. Working alongside the Shop Manager and a team of volunteers, you will support customers, process donations, operate the till, replenish stock, promote Gift Aid, and maintain a welcoming environment.

You will especially play an important role in our Posh Room, our area for formal wear. This area provides a special experience for our customers and requires patient and helpful assistance.

About you:

You are friendly, organised, and love to work with people. You can stay calm under pressure, take initiative, and are ready to learn.

You are skilled at identifying quality items and are ready to work alongside a team to create a positive shopping experience.

Key responsibilities:

• support the smooth running of the shop
• open and close the till system and complete end-of-day procedures (training provided)
• deliver excellent customer service throughout the shop, including the Posh Room
• explain the benefits of Gift Aid to recruit and register Gift Aid donors
• process donations promptly and remove them appropriately from the shop floor
• replenish stock and maintain attractive displays in the shop
• keep the shop floor tidy, organised, and safe
• supervise volunteers and support them with shop procedures
• follow daily task lists that include cleaning, sorting, and stock management
• support the Manager by maintaining standards and assisting with general shop operations
• take responsibility for the shop in the Manager’s absence

Essential skills and experience:

• good knowledge of designer or high-end brands and creators – including for clothing, accessories, books, and bric-a-brac
• good IT skills with confidence using Epos Till or similar software
• excellent communication and organisational skills
• ability to work independently and use initiative
• excellent people skills with confidence working with people of all ages and abilities
• ability to work effectively as part of a team
• willingness to learn new things and take part in a variety of practical tasks

Desirable skills and experience

• experience working in a retail environment
• experience working in a charity shop or similar setting
• knowledge of Gift Aid processes
• knowledge of the charitable sector and the work of the Fishermen’s Mission.

Learn more

We recruit safely, have a commitment to diversity, and want to make sure you know what to expect from our application and interview process.

Our Application Process

Closing: 19 June 2026

Apply now

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Your information is processed, stored and destroyed in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations 2016 (GDPR). If your application is unsuccessful it will be held for 1 year and then destroyed according to GDPR. If you are successful then your contract of employment will include the relevant GDPR compliance statements.