Can You Help? New Local Volunteer Opportunities

Can You Help? New Local Volunteer Opportunities at Sustainable Wales and SUSSED.

Sustainable Wales Logo


Have you time to help charity Sustainable Wales? Meet new people, gain new skills and have new experiences. Our work is community based and can be practical or administrative. All ages are welcome.


We need more repairers for the Saturday morning Repair Café, help with fundraising and grants, information research, project development or with digital skills?  (Work can be from home). Perhaps you have ideas for new projects?
Current local themes are the regeneration of Porthcawl, climate talks and debates, ethical  performance and open mics. https://www.sustainablewales.org.uk/ .


OR come and join our volunteers helping promote people and planet friendly goods at SUSSED, which also helps to support the work of the charity.  Roles range from customer support, shop sales, street stalls; product information; stock ordering, accounts; PR, website help and events. People tend to volunteer between 10 and 1pm and 1pm and 4pm– Monday to Saturday (see opening times at base of the page). More information.

Call into 4/5 James Street, Porthcawl CF36 3BG, or contact Margaret or Peter 01656 783962


SUSSED helps mark 25 years of The Fairtrade Mark with a fashion show

Fairtrade Fashion show

SUSSED joined in the celebrations of the 25 years anniversary of the Fairtrade Mark held at Trinity Church Porthcawl on Saturday 9th November 2019. SUSSED provided the clothing from Namaste, Thought, Patchouli Fair and Gringo as well as running a stall selling fairtrade goods. Thanks to the volunteers who helped run the event and our fabulous models. Roger Clatworthy provided live music before the show to help set the mood.

Organised by the local Porthcawl Fairtrade Partnership with proceeds to Traidcraft. Many thanks to Madeleine Moon MP (Bridgend) for attending; giving a great speech regarding the importance of Fairtrade in our daily lives and of course cutting the birthday cake!

Gaining work experience at SUSSED

SUSSED Community Cooperative based in Porthcawl supports short-term internments for local Sixth formers.

From left to right, Director Margaret Minhinnick, Cian Sparrow, Nia  Eastment , Jessica Townsend

"Work - placements for the borough's young people comes around annually and we try to support this school initiative at SUSSED. Luckily some join the regular volunteers and come along afterwards and  offer their time during the summer holidays, building experience and adding to their CV’s.” They learn a lot about ethical purchasing and the benefits of supporting a strong local economy” said Margaret. 

Cian commented  "I have worked as a volunteer before and I recommend the experience very strongly to anyone my age. The benefits are countless,  we learn new skills as well as making new friends and the experiences are lifelong."

Nia said that “I  wasn’t 100% clear about the fair-trade campaign, but now see its importance - 

  • A fair and secure price to the producer
  •  No child labour
  • Safe working conditions
  • Protection for the environment
  • Rights for women

Jessica added “It allows us to interact confidently in new situations and working in the fair-trade movement helps us expand our knowledge".

Volunteers Wanted...

SUSSED on James St. Porthcawl

SUSSED on James St. Porthcawl

Are you looking to make new friends, to increase your confidence, or to advance your cv?

SUSSED are looking for enthusiastic, friendly and reliable individuals, to work in our community cooperative shop, SUSSED, for a few hours a week. You would be helping customers purchase both Fairtrade and eco-friendly items, as well as locally sourced goods.

What will I be doing?

Welcoming customers.

Operating a till, and handling money.

Dealing with customers’ requests and queries, including taking orders for new stock.

Explaining the background and the significance of the items we stock to the customers.

Helping to reorganise and restock the shop when necessary.

Help at some events.

What skills and qualities can I bring to this role?

Good communication skills.

A welcoming and friendly nature.

A passion and understanding of the Fairtrade initiative and other ideas linked with the sustainable development movement.

The ability to work well with others, in small groups of volunteers.

When will I be needed?

Opening hours are from 9:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Saturday. Days and hours are flexible, depending on your preferences, and the availability of other volunteers, with volunteers usually electing to do a minimum of 4 hours a week (either in the morning or afternoon).

Where will I be volunteering?

4-5 James Street (near the bandstand in John Street), Porthcawl, CF36 3BG.

What will I gain from the role?

Develop valuable skills, (useful for your CV), make new friends whilst supporting producers both in the developing world and in your locality.

What support will I be given?

Training will be provided about shop procedures, as well as what it means to be a community cooperative that stocks Fairtrade, local and eco-friendly goods.

 As a volunteer, you will also become a member of the cooperative SUSSED, which will entitle you to a 10% discount (except on food, local and toiletries) as well as have a say on how SUSSED operates and grows, at AGM’s plus volunteer meetings.

More information on volunteering.

Contact Details

Telephone: 01656 783962

SUSSED is a unique project, with nothing like it between Cardiff and Swansea. Through promotion of such independent retailers, we believe it’s possible to reverse recent trends of declining town centres, instead creating busy, diverse high streets with distinct cultures – all of this possible without costing us the Earth.

Note: If you are not interested in the shop aspects, we have several other volunteer roles available, including admin, finance & events management. Please enquire for more details.

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WANTED

FOR PEOPLE FOR PLANET

SUSSED - ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS WANTED

SUSSED, Porthcawl’s eco-chic community cooperative, is looking for enthusiastic, friendly and reliable individuals, to help develop the business or work in the shop.

You would be joining our team of volunteers supporting ethical business development, volunteer participation, outreach or customer sales.

Days and hours are flexible, though a minimum of 4 hours a week is required, either morning or afternoon, and training is provided.

We sell a unique range of both Fairtrade and eco-friendly items, as well as locally sourced goods. Offering a wide selection of foods, gifts, crafts, clothes, accessories, household goods, books and bags.

The project offers support to local schools and community groups with fairtrade stalls and talks and offers schools work-based placements for older children. It also provides office space for the charity, Sustainable Wales. 

A passion and understanding of the Fairtrade initiative, supporting the local and other ideas linked with the sustainable development movement would be helpful. Skills in marketing, communication, IT and accounts would all be helpful.

Call into SUSSED, 4/5 James Street, Porthcawl, or email mm@sustainablewales.org.uk or tel.01656 783962  Contact

Margaret Minhinnick