Apprentice Charity Retail and Communications Assistant

HASTINGS ADVISE & REPRESENTATION CENTRE

EAST SUSSEX (TN37 6AN)

Closes in 20 days (Monday 2 February 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 13 January 2026

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Summary

  • Work 3 days a week in our charity shops, learn all aspects of charity retail with a specific focus on online sales & social media
  • Work 1 day a week in our office, support the team with our communications (incl social media)
  • Study 1 day a week (in the office) towards a Level 2 Customer Service Apprenticeship

Wage

£19,656 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The current Real Living Wage hourly rate is £12.60 per hour, this will increase from the 1st April 2026 to £13.45 (£20,982 yearly) 

Training course
Customer service practitioner (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday 6 hours a day – exact hours to be agreed 3 days a week based at our Queens Road Charity shop 2 days a week based in our offices within Renaissance House (1 day will be focused on study)

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 2 March 2026

Duration

1 year

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

You'll work three days a week in our charity shops – learning all aspects of charity retail but with a specific focus on online sales and social media.

You'll be working one day a week in our offices supporting the existing team with our communications (including social media).

Studying one day a week (within the offices) working towards their Level 2 Customer Service Apprenticeship.

Where you'll work

RENAISSANCE HOUSE
LONDON ROAD
ST LEONARDS ON SEA
EAST SUSSEX
TN37 6AN

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE GROUP

Training course

Customer service practitioner (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Use a range of questioning skills, including listening and responding in a way that builds rapport, determines customer needs and expectations and achieves positive engagement and delivery.
  • Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills, along with summarising language during face-to-face communications; and/or
  • Depending on your job role and work environment: Use appropriate communication skills, along with reinforcement techniques (to confirm understanding) during non-facing customer interactions.
  • Depending on your job role and work environment: Use an appropriate ‘tone of voice’ in all communications, including written and digital, that reflect the organisation’s brand.
  • Provide clear explanations and offer options in order to help customers make choices that are mutually beneficial to both the customer and your organisation.
  • Be able to organise yourself, prioritise your own workload/activity and work to meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrate patience and calmness.
  • Show you understand the customer’s point of view.
  • Use appropriate sign-posting or resolution to meet your customers needs and manage expectations.
  • Maintain informative communication during service recovery.

Training schedule

East Sussex College will provide the apprenticeship framework which will include Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour, Diploma (if included), Functional Skills.  Weekly/block college attendance for Trade, Engineering and Hairdressing apprenticeships. 

 

East Sussex College will ensure Health & Safety, and Equality & Diversity.

 

More training information

In house training to include the following:

·         All aspects of charity retail

·         Online sales – including how to value stock, identify appropriate sales platforms, list and complete sales

·         Communications – social media (how to design, create, schedule and share content)

·         Disability Awareness training

·         Safeguarding Training

·         Equality and Diversity training

·         Sexual Harassment training

·         Data Protection Training

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Desire to learn
  • Interest to work in retail
  • Good interpersonal skills

About this employer

HARC is a registered charity providing specialist welfare benefit advice and representation to people of all ages in East Sussex and beyond.

With our free and confidential service, we aim to address inequalities, relieve poverty and improve the quality of life for vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

As well as our Advice Service based at Renaissance House in St Leonards we have two community-based charity shops (in Hastings and St Leonards).

http://www.harcuk.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Applicants must be 16-24 (the course must be completed by 24th birthday). Please note all HARC staff are paid at least the Real living Wage regardless of age

After this apprenticeship

This is a fixed term post for duration of apprenticeship only as it is being funded by an external charity.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000008406.

Apply now

Closes in 20 days (Monday 2 February 2026 at 11:59pm)