# Red Cross launches young shop volunteer qualification

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/05/23/red-cross-launches-young-shop-volunteer-qualification/
- Published: 2007-05-23T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Red Cross is launching the ‘British Red Cross Certificate in Retail Skills’,
the UK’s first nationally recognised qualification specifically designed for young
charity shop volunteers. The charity hopes that it will allow young volunteers to
channel their efforts into a recognised qualification.
With one in three people 
in Britain defined as ‘youth’, young people represent the second largest element
of the customer base for charity shops, with 15% of 18 to 24 year olds visiting 
a charity shop more than 21 times a year.

Miranda Bradley, retail development adviser at the British Red Cross said: “By recruiting
more young people to volunteer in Red Cross shops, the shops will become more attractive
to young customers. The new Certificate will enable young volunteers to reach their
potential, empowering then to make the most of their time with us, building up something
tangible and useful for the future.”

The certificate was developed and designed by young volunteers under the age of 
26. Young people were involved from the outset, with a young intern managing the
project. Two new roles for young retail volunteers were created in the Trading Department
of the British Red Cross to encourage youth participation at a local and national
level.

## Advertisement

Lucy Pugh, 17, a volunteer who helped devise the Certificate comments, said: “The
Certificate is a fantastic way to get more young people involved in the work of 
the organisation in the way that suits them, as it can be tailored to the tastes
and interests of the young volunteers. Being able to participate in this qualification
will help keep volunteering exciting and make it a recognisable achievement.”

The British Red Cross ‘Certificate in Retail Skills’, developed according to the
Russell Commission criteria , is available at both standard and advanced levels.

The standard level is an introduction to retail, allowing young volunteers to develop
the skills needed for paid employment in retail. The advanced level is designed 
for longer-term volunteers and allows young people to get involved in in-depth projects
such as managing a department in the shop or developing skills in visual merchandising.

The British Red Cross is also launching the ‘Retail Innovation Fund’ that will make
four awards of £250 available for young retail volunteers for innovative and creative
projects that will increase shop sales or raise awareness of a British Red Cross
shop within the community.

 * **[CFRE Certification accredited by American National Standards Institute](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/07/21/cfre-certification-accredited-american-national-standards-institute/)**(
   21 July 2017)
 * **[CFRE lnternational launches online practice exam](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/08/03/cfre-lnternational-launches-online-practice-exam/)**(
   3 August 2017)
 * **[FSI launches fundraising qualification bursaries for small charities](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/11/01/fsi-launches-fundraising-qualification-bursaries-small-charities/)**(
   1 November 2017)