Volunteer
Register your interest in volunteering with us today! Apply online or download our application form below.
Why volunteer?
- Make a real difference - Whether you’re 18 or 80, your time and energy help us care for animals and keep our rescue and rehoming work going strong. Every hour you give makes a lasting impact.
- Learn, grow, and share your skills - Volunteering is a great way to pick up new skills, gain confidence, or share the experience you already have — whatever stage of life you’re in.
- Feel good, do good - Giving your time to a cause you care about can lift your spirits, provide structure, and support your wellbeing — all while doing something meaningful.
- Meet people and be part of a team - Volunteering is a social, welcoming experience. You'll meet new people of all ages, make connections, and become part of a supportive community.
- Support a cause that matters - No matter where you're volunteering, you’ll be making a difference to lives, both human and animal, right here in your local area.
Volunteer roles
Shop Volunteer
What is a Shop Volunteer?
Our shop volunteers are key to everything we do at The Kit Wilson Trust. You will help keep our shops running and raising money for our animal rescue centre. You can get involved in a variety of tasks as part of our team where no two days are the same. On average, volunteering in one of our shops is worth a huge £20 per hour to our charity!
Our shops are a key link to the local community and are vital to spreading The Kit Wilson Trust’s message. Volunteering with us is a great way to take an active role in your community.
What's involved?
- Tills & Customer Service: Operating our tills, looking after our customers & providing great customer service in our shops
- Merchandising: Making our shop look fantastic with fashionable merchandising, displays and window dressing
- Stock sorting: Accepting, sorting and organising donations from our supporters
- Stock Preparation: Preparing donations ready for sale in our shops. Hanging, labelling, steaming and ensuring a high level of presentation
- Community events: Take part in or even lead shop based community events to raise money and raise our profile in the local area
We value kindness, integrity and a passion to do good from our volunteers and in return, we will do our best to provide you with the most rewarding volunteering experience that we can.
Previous experience isn't necessary, a positive attitude and a keenness to help our cause is all you will need to be a great success.
Where the role is based:
- Uckfield
- Heathfield
- Hailsham
Donation Hub Volunteer
What is a Donation Hub Volunteer?
Volunteers at the Donation Hub play a vital role in supporting our charity's goals by helping manage incoming donations at our hub in Ridgewood, Uckfield.
Primarily as a stock sorter, you will be sorting, organising, categorising and preparing donations ready for our charity shops to sell and raise money for The Kit Wilson Trust.
What's involved?
- Sorting Donations: Inspecting and sorting incoming donations, including clothing, household items, toys, books, and other goods.
- Categorising Items: Organise donations by department, quality, and condition, ensuring items are sorted according to established guidelines.
- Quality Control: Assess the condition of donations, selecting items suitable for sale and setting aside any that are damaged or unsuitable.
- Preparation for Sale: Prepare items for display in our shops, including hanging, steaming, labelling and cleaning.
- Maintaining Work Areas: Keep the sorting areas clean, organised, and safe, following all health and safety guidelines.
- Collaboration: Work closely with other volunteers and staff to ensure smooth operations and effective communication.
We value kindness, integrity and a passion to do good from our volunteers and in return, we will do our best to provide you with the most rewarding volunteering experience that we can.
Previous experience isn't necessary, a positive attitude and a keenness to help our cause is all you will need to be a great success.
Where the role is based:
The Kit Wilson Trust
Unit 19, Ridgewood Industrial Estate
Ridgewood
Uckfield
TN22 5QE
Fundraising & Events Volunteer
What is a Fundraising & Events Volunteer?
We're looking for creative, passionate people to help run our fundraising efforts.
You can fundraise your way! Whether you’d like to hold a one-off fundraiser or take part in regular fundraising activities, we need you! From cakes sales at school to sponsored cycle rides, there are so many fun ways to help raise money for The Kit Wilson Trust. See our handy fundraising page for some ideas.
We can support you every step of the way on your fundraising journey. Please contact us HERE with your ideas and we will help you get started!
What's involved?
- Ideas: If you have a great idea to help us raise money, please let us know and we will do all we can to support your efforts.
- Collaborate: Join our Fundraising & Events team, work with your fellow fundraisers, share your ideas and build relationships with the local community.
- Events: Take part and represent The Kit Wilson Trust at local events, support our charity events or even create your own event!
- Activities: Help support us by taking part in fundraising activities such as cash collections.
We value kindness, integrity and a passion to do good with our volunteers and in return, we will do our best to provide you with the most rewarding volunteering experience that we can.
Previous experience isn't necessary, a positive attitude and a keenness to help our cause is all you will need to be a great success.
Where the role is based:
- Uckfield
- Heathfield
- Hailsham
- East Sussex & Surrounding areas
- Remote
Online Sales Volunteer
What is a Online Sales Volunteer?
As an online sales volunteer, you will be helping us manage and grow our online sales marketplace and platforms.
We are seeking volunteers to help us organise, research, photograph, list, package & post items earmarked for sale on our online platforms.
What's involved?
- Research: Inspecting items marked as potentially valuable and researching their value in more detail.
- Photography: Making use of our photography areas to take impactful photos of our items ready to list on our online store.
- Packaging: Safely and professionally packing items ready to ship to our buyers.
- Logging & Listing: Making use of our logging processes & software to accurately catalogue our items marked for listing.
- Collaboration: Work closely with other volunteers and staff to ensure smooth operations and effective communication.
We value kindness, integrity and a passion to do good from our volunteers and in return, we will do our best to provide you with the most rewarding volunteering experience that we can.
Previous experience isn't necessary, a positive attitude and a keenness to help our cause is all you will need to be a great success!
Where the role is based:
The Kit Wilson Trust
Unit 19, Ridgewood Industrial Estate
Ridgewood
Uckfield
TN22 5QE
What volunteering means to us
Our volunteers are the heart and soul of The Kit Wilson Trust. Their passion, dedication, and generosity make everything we do possible. They keep our charity shops running, drive our fundraising events, and enable our staff to care for hundreds of animals at our Rescue Centre every single day.
Thanks to these incredible individuals, we can continue our vital work rescuing vulnerable animals. By giving their time and helping to raise funds, our volunteers give animals a new chance at a happy life, whether that’s by finding a forever home filled with love or providing a safe, caring refuge for those who will stay with us for life.
Every moment our volunteers give, and every effort made in our shops or at our events, directly supports the animals in our care. It also positively impacts the people who adopt them, bringing joy, companionship, and a lasting bond to both the animals and their new families.
We celebrate our volunteers as friends and essential members of our team. We couldn’t do what we do without them, and we’re truly grateful for everything they give to help animals in need.
Ready to make a difference?
Join our warm, welcoming team of animal-lovers and see the impact you can make. Whether you’re helping in the shop, supporting events, or lending a hand behind the scenes, every moment you give helps animals in need.
Apply today — we can’t wait to meet you!
How to apply?
Download and print your application below to bring to one of our stores or fill and send online.
How can we help?
Have any questions about volunteering, the application process or anything else volunteering related?
Contact usFrequently asked questions
Haven't found the answer you were looking for? Perhaps our FAQ's could help. If you're still needing help, please get in touch.
We have a variety of volunteering opportunities available to suit different skills, interests, and levels of commitment. Whether you’re looking to get involved hands-on or help behind the scenes, there’s a role for you:
- Shop Volunteer – Help run our charity shops, serve customers, sort donations, and create eye-catching displays.
- Donation Hub Volunteer – Sort and prepare donated items at our Ridgewood hub to support our shops.
- Online Sales Volunteer – Assist with photographing, researching, listing, and packaging items sold via our online platforms.
- Fundraising & Events Volunteer – Get involved in local fundraising activities and represent us at community events.
We are not currently recruiting for volunteers at our Animal Rescue Centre. Please follow our social media accounts and keep checking in on our website to stay up to date with any future opportunities.
Visit our Volunteering page to find out more about the volunteer roles that are available.
Already sold? Apply online HERE!
We are not currently recruiting volunteers at our Animal Rescue Centre.
Unfortunately, we’re also unable to offer volunteering opportunities involving animals, including work experience, work placements, or for youth schemes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
To keep up to date with future opportunities, please follow us on social media or check back on our website
Please see our Volunteering page for more info on the roles we have available.
Absolutely! We warmly welcome volunteers to join our Fundraising & Events team. Volunteering at fundraising events is a fantastic way to get involved with The Kit Wilson Trust, meet like-minded people, and make a real difference in our local community.
As a Fundraising & Events Volunteer, you’ll help us raise vital funds by attending local fairs, markets, and community gatherings, as well as assisting in setting up and running our own fundraising activities. This could include helping with stalls, engaging with the public, collecting donations, and sharing information about our work.
No previous experience is necessary, just a passion for our animals and a willingness to get involved! We provide full support and guidance to help you feel confident and make the most of your volunteer role.
If you’re interested in joining our friendly and dedicated team, you can apply to become a Fundraising & Events Volunteer HERE.
Your time and enthusiasm will directly support the care and rehoming of animals in need, and you’ll be part of a community that truly values your contribution.
Absolutely, we’d love to have you join our team!
Our shop volunteers are at the heart of The Kit Wilson Trust and play a vital role in raising funds for our rescue animals. Whether you're helping on the tills, sorting donations, or creating eye-catching displays, your time and energy make a huge difference; in fact, the average shop volunteer contributes the equivalent of £20 per hour to our charity!
You don’t need previous experience to volunteer, just a friendly attitude, reliability, and a passion for helping animals. We’ll provide all the guidance and support you need to enjoy a fun and rewarding experience.
As a shop volunteer, you could get involved in:
- Operating tills and offering great customer service
- Sorting, preparing, and presenting donated stock
- Creating attractive shop displays and windows
- Helping with community events and in-store fundraisers
We have opportunities available in our shops in Uckfield, Heathfield, and Hailsham.
If you're looking for a way to give back, meet new people, and make a real difference, volunteering with us could be just the thing. You can register your interest by applying online HERE or pop into your local shop to find out more.
We love having volunteers of all ages, but for safety and legal reasons, you must be at least 16 years old to volunteer with us.
If you’re 16 or 17, there are a few extra things to sort out, like parental consent and being part of a school or youth group (like Duke of Edinburgh). We just want to make sure everyone stays safe and has a great time. Find our more on our volunteering page.
If you’re younger than 16, we can’t take you on as a volunteer right now, but don’t worry, there might be other ways to get involved in the future, so keep in touch!
Not at all! You don’t need any previous experience to volunteer with us.
What matters most is your willingness to help, your reliability, and your desire to make a positive difference. We’ll provide all the training and guidance you need to feel confident in your role — whether you’re on the shop floor, behind the scenes in the stock room or donation hub, helping at events, or supporting our online sales.
Many of our volunteers join us having never worked in retail, fundraising or charity before. Some are looking to build confidence, some want to learn new skills, and others simply want to give back in a way that fits around their life. We welcome people from all walks of life, and we’ll do our very best to help you settle in and feel part of the team.
If you’re kind, dependable and enthusiastic, you’ll fit right in, experience or not.
We know everyone’s schedule is different, so we offer flexible volunteering options to fit around your life. You can give as much or as little as your circumstances allow; we appreciate every second of your time.
Whether you’ve got a couple of hours a week, can help out occasionally on weekends, or want a regular weekly slot, we’ll find something that works for you. Some volunteers like popping in when they can, others prefer a steady routine to make friends and learn new skills.
No matter how much time you can give, it all makes a big difference to the animals and community we care for.
Yes, we are happy to provide references for our volunteers who have been with us for a reasonable amount of time to support them in pursuing jobs, education, or other opportunities.
If you’ve volunteered with us and would like a reference, please get in touch. We’ll be glad to provide a detailed and honest reference that reflects your commitment, skills, and contribution to The Kit Wilson Trust.
Keep in mind that we may ask for some information about what the reference is for, to ensure we provide the most relevant and helpful details. Whether you’re applying for a job, college place, or another volunteering role, we want to help you succeed!
Absolutely! We want your volunteering experience with The Kit Wilson Trust to be enjoyable, fulfilling, and suited to your skills and interests. Whether you’re curious about trying something new or want to explore different ways to contribute, we encourage you to chat with your line manager.
Many of our volunteers find that trying different roles keeps things fresh and helps them develop new skills. For example, you might start helping in one of our shops and later try your hand at supporting fundraising events or working behind the scenes at our Donation Hub.
If you’d like to switch roles or explore new opportunities, just let us know. We’ll do our best to support your interests and help you find the perfect fit that matches your availability and enthusiasm. Your passion makes a real difference, and we want you to love the role you take on!
For more information on the volunteering roles available, please see our Volunteering page.
The Donation Hub is our central warehouse located at Ridgewood Industrial Estate, Uckfield. It serves as the main receiving point for donations from our supporters and the distribution centre where items are sorted and prepared before being sent to our charity shops for sale.
Dropping off donations at the Donation Hub is easy! Simply pull up, ring the doorbell, and one of our friendly staff will be along to assist you. If you plan to donate a particularly large volume of items, please contact us in advance. Please note that we are unable to accept certain items ; kindly familiarise yourself with our “Items We Cannot Accept” FAQ before your visit, and do check our Hub opening times before travelling to ensure there will be staff on hand to help you.
We’re always welcoming volunteers at the Donation Hub! If you enjoy a quieter, more relaxed working environment away from the busy shop floor, this could be a great fit for you. Typical tasks include sorting donations, checking quality, cleaning, steaming, and preparing items to ensure they’re ready for sale. It’s a fantastic way to support our cause if you prefer less social settings or want to contribute behind the scenes.
If you’re interested in volunteering at the Donation Hub, please fill in our online form, get in touch, or pop into any of our shops and ask our staff for more information. We’d love to have your support!
Animal Rescue Centre
Stonehurst Lane, Hadlow Down
East Sussex, TN22 4ED
