Budgets are tight, so every garment needs to earn its place and last. Kit should suit volunteers of every age and size, and work in shops, warehouses, on the street and at outdoor events.
Collectors the public can trust
People give more readily to someone clearly wearing the charity's name. A bright T-shirt or hoodie with the logo on the front and the charity name large on the back works for street and store collections. In winter, a fleece or padded gilet keeps collectors warm during long shifts.
Pair the clothing with an official ID badge and a sealed collection tin, and check any local permit rules for street collections.
Shops, warehouses and outreach
Charity shop volunteers handle dusty, heavy donations all day. A polo or sweatshirt with an apron or tabard over the top protects clothes and keeps the shop looking tidy. Warehouse and sorting teams may need gloves and safety footwear depending on what they lift.
Outreach and soup-run volunteers work outside at night and need warm layers, and hi-vis where they are near roads.
- Shop volunteers: polo or sweatshirt plus tabard
- Sorting rooms: handling gloves where needed
- Night outreach: warm layers and hi-vis vests
Making volunteers feel valued
A branded hoodie is often the first thing a new volunteer is given, and many wear it with pride long after their shift. Some charities offer a different colour after a set number of hours or for team leaders.
A private online uniform shop can let regional coordinators order kit for new volunteers without each one sending a separate request to head office.
Where to put your logo
Print the charity name large across the back of T-shirts and hoodies so it can be read from a distance at a collection or event. A small logo on the front chest completes it. Embroider polos, fleeces and gilets for shop staff, managers and long-serving volunteers, as these get worn for years. On hi-vis vests, print only on the fluorescent fabric. Add 'Volunteer' to the back if you want to separate volunteers from paid staff.
Ordering for charities and volunteers
Most charities and volunteers start with cotton T-shirts, pullover hoodies and branded aprons and tabards. You can order from one garment and add more as you take people on. The logo price drops at 9 and again at 25 garments, and every garment with a small logo counts towards it, so mixing styles and colours still gets the better price. Before anything is made, we embroider an actual sample of your logo and email you a photo to approve, or you can pop in to our Hull workshop to see it.
