Oxfam’s Oxford superstore calls for volunteers as it extends opening hours and offers £1 kid’s meals in half-term

Oxfam’s superstore in Cowley has announced it is now open six days a week with a range of activities and offers planned for October half-term.

The charity’s largest concept shop which launched in 2019 is extending its opening hours in response to customer demand.

Store Manager Richard Williams, explained: “We regularly sell more than 4,300 items a week. I often found people banging on the door on the days we weren’t open, so we decided to give our customers what they want.

“In order to open our doors for longer though we need new retail volunteers. Oxfam volunteers make a real difference every shift. From visual merchandising and working on the till to sorting donations or managing the shop’s Instagram account, we’ve got all sorts of roles for all sorts of people. In return volunteers can learn new skills, make friends, and gain experience, whilst supporting Oxfam’s life- changing work.”

Located just off Grasington Road in Cowley, the charity store is now open:

Monday Closed

Tuesday 09:30-17:30

Wednesday 09:30-17:30 *NEW

Thursday 09:30-19:30

Friday 09:30-17:30 *NEW

Saturday 09:30-17:30

Sunday 10:30-16:30

There will be a range of activities during half-term including a DJ late-night shopping experience on Thursday 26th October, face painting on the 28th and £1 meals with fruit for under 12s with any café purchase throughout the week. Also on the 28th Carers (unpaid, paid, parents and guardians) across Oxford are invited for a free slice of cake to hear about Oxfam’s new Time to care campaign, focusing on improving carers’ rights.

During half-term week, Oxfam staff will be in the superstore talking about the work they are doing around the world and in the UK with lots of challenges and activities on the shop floor.

The store’s donation point also has a new permanent timetable, opening Sunday to Thursday 9.30am to 16.30pm.

Richard says: “We are always astounded by the generosity of people in and around Oxford. Even before the new extended operating hours we received 1500 donations a week, which is 10 times more than the average Oxfam store. I am regularly being called down by volunteers excited about a new find. Once it was an 18crt gold 100-year-old watch, another time it was a llama drinking tea on a cushion that made us laugh!”

As well as more time to donate and shop for vintage fashion bargains and ethical gifts, the superstore also has its own eating and meeting venue. The Watertank café holds community events throughout the year, all of which have amazing impact on the local community and communities around the world.

Oxfam will even collect furniture and bulky items for free, to arrange a collection or to find out more information on how to donate, call 01865 396322 or visit www.oxfam.org.uk/superstore

To apply for volunteering roles at Oxfam’s superstore, go to www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/

Ends

Notes to Editor

• The proceeds of sales from the Oxfam Online Shop and high street shops support the charity’s work to end the injustice of poverty around the world.
• Oxfam has approx. 560 high street shops across the UK, supported by more than 20,000 volunteers, selling second-hand fashion, books, music, homewares, and the Sourced by Oxfam range of ethically sourced new products.
• Our unique Sourced by Oxfam range of ethically sourced brand-new products are carefully selected by our team of buyers who search for pioneering suppliers who put people before profit and produce quality products with the emphasis on small-scale production and sustainable materials. The range is available on Oxfam Online Shop and in selected high street shops.
• The first Oxfam shop opened in Oxford Broad Street 75 years ago in 1947, selling donated second-hand items. It was the UK’s first permanent charity shop.
• Oxfam launched the UK’s first online charity shop in 2007. It is the UK’s biggest charity shop with thousands of unique treasures all in one place, from the Oxfam Unwrapped range of charity gifts to the Sourced by Oxfam range of ethically sourced new products and more than 200,000 unique second-hand items. There are more than 140,000 books, more than 20,000 women’s clothing and accessories items, 30,000 music products, films, and video games and 3,000 items of homewares and collectables.
• Oxfam is a global movement of people all working towards the same goal – an end to the injustice of poverty. Together we save and rebuild lives in disasters, help people earn a living, and speak out on the big issues, like inequality and climate change, that keep people poor. And we won’t stop until we get there. Join us!

To visit the Oxfam Online Shop, go to:https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/

To find your local Oxfam shop go to: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/shops/