What you’d be doing
Be part of the shop team that makes a difference every day. Your responsibilities could include:
- Welcoming and serving customers
- Stocking shelves and merchandising displays
- Processing payments and handling cash
- Sorting and pricing donations
- Maintaining a tidy and welcoming shop environment
Why volunteer with us
Make a difference
Every item sold helps the charity to provide care and services that go over and above what the NHS can provide alone.
Meet new people
Connect with a team of friendly staff and volunteers and be part of the hospital community.
Be at the heart of the action
See the impact your volunteering makes firsthand as you interact with the children and families you’re helping to support.
How it works
Choose your area of interest
Let us know you're interested in volunteering.
Complete the form
Tell us about your interests and needs.
Chat with us
We'll discuss and send you any shop volunteering opportunities.
Start volunteering
We’ll provide you with all the support and training you need to get going.
FAQs
Why volunteer with us?
There are countless reasons to volunteer. With us, you’ll find a space to grow, build confidence, and discover a sense of purpose—all while helping to create brighter todays and better tomorrows for the children of Noah’s Ark. It’s also a fantastic way to meet new people and have fun. Whatever your reason for volunteering, we’d love to hear from you.
Who can volunteer?
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds!
For some of our roles, you’ll need to be an adult to volunteer. However, in our shops and our events, we can accept volunteers as young as 14 with parental or guardian consent and younger with a parent or guardian present.
Please note that due to the nature of our work, especially roles involving children, we will need to be aware of any criminal background. This is a standard part of our safeguarding process to ensure a safe environment for everyone.
All our opportunities are for volunteers primarily based Wales with some events taking place in England.
How much time do I need to give?
We offer a variety of volunteer roles with flexible time commitments to suit everyone. Whether you’d like to volunteer weekly, help out at a one-off event, or something in between, there’s an opportunity that fits your schedule. Our roles are designed to be as adaptable as possible, and we’re happy to adjust your time commitment if your circumstances change.
What will I get out of volunteering?
It depends on the motivations and reasons you have chosen to volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to use your existing skills or further your skills and knowledge, as well as meet new people and gain confidence. And, it is also a good addition to your CV. Many volunteers get huge satisfaction out of making a difference to the others lives.
Will I be paid to cover my expenses?
Yes. You will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses that arise from volunteering, such as travel and lunch for up to £3 per volunteering session. The types of expenses you can claim for will be confirmed once you start a volunteering role.
Can I volunteer together with my family or friends?
Absolutely, we encourage you to bring along family and friends to volunteer with us! While group volunteering opportunities can be more limited, there are still plenty of ways to get involved together, such as fundraising, and events. Just let us know in advance, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you all. We love expanding our volunteer community and welcoming new faces!
What documents do I need to fill out before I volunteer?
The documents you need to provide will depend on the role you’ve applied for and your personal circumstances. Below, we’ve outlined some requirements that may apply to you. For further information, feel free to contact us at nadiyah@noahsarkcharity.org
- Under 18: If you’re under these ages, a parent or guardian will need to provide consent for you to volunteer by completing a consent form. We’ll ask for their contact details during the application process and will reach out to them to obtain this consent before moving forward with your application.
- Volunteer registration/ agreement: Before you start your role, you’ll be asked to sign a volunteer agreement outlining what you can expect from us and what we ask from you in return. This is not a legal document or contract and does not create any legal relationship between us.
- Social media consent: We love to share the great work our volunteers do on our website and social media. Before we use any images or stories involving you, we’ll ask for your consent. You can choose whether or not you’re comfortable being featured, and your decision won’t impact your volunteering role.
Do I have to complete any training?
Yes, we ask that new volunteers complete training specific to their role. Currently, this training is provided on the day of your first volunteering session. We are also exploring other formats, such as e-learning or presentations, to make the learning process even more accessible.
Your volunteer manager on the day will provide an induction to both the organisation and your role, and will offer ongoing support as needed.
Can I volunteer or gain shadowing experience on the wards at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital?
At this time, we are unable to offer ward-based volunteering or shadowing placements. All clinical placements and ward-based roles are managed directly by the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, so we recommend contacting them for any opportunities within the hospital setting.
None of these FAQs answers my question, what do I do now?
If we haven’t covered your question please contact: nadiyah@noahsarkcharity.org
How we help
Supporting children and families
Life-saving medical equipment
Environment and facilities
