Get involved
Jobs
We have a range of work opportunities with The Wood Store from retail management, stock control, collections, and deliveries, to woodworking in the workshop.
See below for current vacancies.
Current vacancies
Volunteering
Volunteers are at the very heart of what we do. We strive to make volunteering with us fun and rewarding.
Whether you want to get back into the swing of working with a team, get experience in the construction industry, or you just have some spare time and want to keep yourself busy, come and see what we do.
We especially welcome applications from anyone finding it difficult to get back into mainstream employment, are from socially isolated backgrounds, or live with mental or physical illness or disability.
All volunteers are expected to play an active role in the project, helping others increase their skills and confidence too.
We’re always looking for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to join us as volunteers. You don’t need any experience and you can work as little as a few hours a week. There are plenty of different areas in which to get involved. We’ll find the one which works best for you or you can get involved in all aspects of our work. That could be:
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in the workshop, making products
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preparing timber for sale
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working in the shop, serving customers, and doing admin to keep the business organised
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staffing the vans to collect wood
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educating the public through publicity, displays, and social media
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supporting or mentoring more vulnerable volunteers
Some people also get involved with sales, marketing, designing products, or any other tasks needed to operate a busy and successful small community business. Make no mistake – we can get really busy!
Get in touch and we’ll have an informal chat so we can get to know each other.
Important note:
Once trained, volunteers need to be able to work independently and not be at risk to themselves or others. We regret we can’t accommodate those who require constant support due to the nature of the work undertaken.
How to apply
Complete the application form to apply and send it to us by email or post. If you need any more info, just give us a call on 01273 570500.
Volunteer Stories
Looking to refer?
If you're an organisation looking to direct potential volunteers to us, please contact our volunteer co-ordinator at volunteers@woodrecycling.org.uk.
Please note that volunteers need to have the ability to work independently and not be at risk to themselves or others.
Corporate Policies
Real-life story
“One of the things we do best is help trainees and volunteers who’ve been marginalised from the workforce through mental health problems, homelessness, alcohol or drug related issues through training and mentoring.
I’ve seen them come from the tail end of addiction, living in a halfway house, to fully rebuilding their lives free from past problems. Some go onto further education or return to a workforce after long-term isolation.
We offer a secure, structured, non-judgmental environment with a friendly team to help get to the next stage. Simply having a daily structure with start and finish times, a cup of tea and lunch as a team, can really boost confidence. It’s an essential part of rehabilitation and getting back into society without pressure.
Many of our staff members were once marginalised and have gone onto build futures for themselves working with us and so have empathy, ready to support others.
We have many success stories. Recently a customer emailed to say a family acquaintance had turned his life round after volunteering with us and is now in full-time employment making furniture. Without that support he would not have been able to get to this place.
Others have gone onto to study at the MET (Greater Brighton Metropolitan College); some have used the project as a springboard to start their own business; and others simply built long-term friendships, helping to get them out of social isolation.
It’s easy to say that working at The Wood Store is the best job I’ve ever had; the many challenges are offset by the rewards of working with some amazing volunteers and trainees.
The best days for me are when we have a full order book and a workshop full of people just wanting to learn how to make stuff. I almost fly home!”
Steve Bannatyne,
The Wood Store
How to donate
The Wood Store needs funding! Any donation large or small will be gratefully received. Most of our funding comes from collections and sales, designed to be excellent value, so we’re able to divert wood from disposal, making it available to everyone regardless of income. We’re only able to access very limited sources of external grant funding.
We ensure donations go towards:
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training our beneficiaries
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supporting people returning to employment
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environmental education
What do you think of us?
We are always looking for feedback. Help us improve by answering the questionnaire below: