A Derby firm has developed technology which will help make it easier for charity shops across the 海角视频 to find volunteer staff ahead of reopening following the coronavirus lockdown.
On June 15, many non-essential retailers will be allowed to re-open – and the Charity Retail Association (CRA) has launched a new initiative to help charity shops find volunteer staff.
It has launched , where members of the public interested in volunteering can sign up.
Charity retailers who have vacancies can search the database and identify potential volunteers, according to their location and specific charity interest.
The platform has been built free of charge by Derby tech company Wil-U, which is based on Pride Park.
Part of the PX Tech group, the firm aims to provide innovative technology that revolutionises how communities connect with charities.
When charity shops start reopening, it is anticipated that there will be a shortage of volunteer staff, as many existing volunteers will be unable to return straight away because of shielding, public transport issues, or just not wanting to leave their homes at this point.
This initiative aims to help shops fill those gaps and allow potential volunteers an easy way to express an interest in contributing to the work that charity shops do in their communities and for their parent charities.
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Richard Dorf, chief executive at Wil-U, said: “We are delighted to have been able to help the charity retail sector recruit more volunteers through a simple but effective piece of technology.
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“We are very keen to help establish more connections between charities and the communities in which they are located, and this seems to us to be an excellent way to do it.”
Robin Osterley, chief executive of the CRA, said: “We are very grateful to Wil-U for providing this platform free of charge for the sector.
“Through it, many of our 400 members (who have between them around 9,000 shops) will be able to access a new pool of volunteers to help carry them through this critical reopening period alongside their highly valued existing volunteers.”