Gabi Torres / Oxfam

A man smiling as he steams clothes
A man smiling as he steams clothes

Duke of Edinburgh Volunteering

You can complete your Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh Volunteering section in your local Oxfam shop.

Gabi Torres / Oxfam

Also in this section

How it works

  • Volunteers aged 14 and up are welcome, with parental consent required if you are under 18.
  • Volunteering with Oxfam counts directly toward your DofE awards: shops are recognised as suitable, pre-approved activity providers for all levels of the award.

Why choose Oxfam for your DofE volunteering?

  • Gain real-world retail experience: from serving customers and operating tills to sorting donations and helping with merchandising.
  • Flexible scheduling means you can fit your volunteering hours around school.
  • Build your confidence and meet a community of like‑minded individuals passionate about community and change .

Plus - work experience volunteering:
As a volunteer, you're not just helping Oxfam - you’re also gaining meaningful work experience in a professional, charitable environment. Oxfam shops provide support, training and real tasks you can highlight on a CV or personal statement.

Hear from a volunteer: Tabitha’s story

“

I originally volunteered to fulfill part of my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award … I carried on because it’s so enjoyable. I’ve been part of events like London Fashion Week and Oxjam… learnt to operate tills, serve customers and multitask on the shop floor. Working in a team also helped me build strong communication skills and analyse cost and value - an economics lesson every week.”

Tabitha, 17, volunteers in London

Make the most of your DofE volunteering

  • Contact your local Oxfam shop manager - they can explain how your volunteering hours map to DofE requirements.
  • Work with your DofE Leader to log the activity in your DofE system.
  • Under-18 volunteers receive training and supervision and there are safety procedures in place including DBS-checked staff to support you.

Application process

Find your role and apply today

Application deadline:

Ongoing

Informal chat:

After you have applied, the shop manager will contact you to arrange a time to chat about volunteering.

Start date:

After your chat with the manager and reference checks, you can choose a start date.

Additional Information

We warmly welcome everyone to apply and are dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse environment. If you have any particular needs, please talk to a manager, and we can consider possible adjustments.

For volunteers who are under 18 we require one reference upon application. If you have any difficulties providing a reference, please speak to a manager for assistance.

Parental/Guardian Consent will be required as part of the application process. Some Local Authorities may also require a Child Work Permit for volunteering activity, and this may cause a delay to processing your application.

If you need help with your application please contact us at givetime@oxfam.org.uk

Volunteer in your local Oxfam shop

Whatever your skills or interests, there’s something for everyone…