An assortment of fresh vegetables displayed on a shelf.

We're Recruiting!

We’re recruiting! Find out about our Community Care and Housing Advisor Role below:

Shopper Volunteer

Volunteer Shoppers will be matched with a disabled person who needs support with collecting shopping or medicine.This will involve collecting the items from a nearby store and delivery to door.

Shopper Responsibilities

A Volunteer Shopper will be shopping on behalf of the disabled person (either in person or online).

  • Attending online induction training and receiving individual support and guidance from Choice in Hackney.
  • Maintaining boundaries in line with Choice in Hackney’s guidance.
  • Shopping and interacting safely in line with social distancing and other guidelines for volunteers.
  • Relating to the service user in a respectful way and adhering to the Choice in Hackney’s equal opportunities policy.
  • Keeping in touch with the Volunteer Coordinator and informing of any issues/changes.
  • Maintaining confidentiality within Choice in Hackney’s guidelines.

Shopper Volunteer Requirements

This is a list of the qualities, skills and knowledge we are looking for in a Volunteer Gardener. Please don’t be put off by this list of requirements – some of the skills and knowledge needed for the role can be learned during the induction period.

  • Good communication skills: listening, talking, writing.
  • Available to commit to the project for a minimum of 3 months.
  • Reliability: able to keep commitments and appointments and where necessary, to communicate changes to plans with as much notice as possible.
  • Some knowledge of the barriers faced by disabled people.
  • Empathy and an interest in understanding the needs of the disabled person.
  • Ability to recognise own limitations and ask for help when needed.
  • Ability to understand and follow relevant policies and procedures e.g. confidentiality, health and safety, boundaries.
  • Open mindedness and willing to learn.
  • A reasonable level of spoken English – enough to complete induction training and receive support from the Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Before you apply

We always match volunteers with service users on the basis of mutual preferences, availability and location. Volunteers have the right not to perform any tasks they are not comfortable with.

Please feel free to call the Volunteer Coordinator on 020 7613 8134 if you have any questions or need help with completing the form.

Disclosure and Barring check: For all one-to-one roles, we will carry out an enhanced DBS check. This is a legal requirement and helps us to protect the vulnerable adults to whom we have a duty of care. A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from volunteering with Choice in Hackney so if you have any concerns about the disclosure, please feel free to discuss them in confidence with the Volunteer Coordinator