Organisation

 

Role and Opportunity Details (to apply for this role you must be 16+)

To act as a local investigative and advocacy link, documenting the export-driven textile collection schemes within the Wigan area and promoting proven, ethical, local donation alternatives that directly serve the community, such as those that support people who are homeless and low-income families.

Key Responsibilities

“Bin Scam” Mapping & Data Collection:

• Systematically identify, photograph, and document non-charity/for-profit clothing collection banks and bags across the Wigan area.
• Record company names, registration numbers, and any misleading charitable claims to create a local accountability database.
• Trace the ownership of these collection points using publicly available data (like Companies House, not UN data).
• Ethical Alternative Promotion (Note G):
• Investigate and document the direct impact of local, ethical charities like Rebuild with Hope Foundation (Wigan Community Hub, Flagship Store) and The Brick (Wigan) to contrast their community benefit against the export model.
• Collect specific examples of how quality goods are locally reused to support vulnerable populations, including people who are homeless, through these direct community channels (e.g., providing specific clothing packages).

Local Communications & Outreach:

• Develop a “Know Your Donation” flyer or digital map for the Wigan area, clearly distinguishing the export pipelines from transparent, local charities.
• Present findings to local community groups, churches, and neighbourhood centres to shift local donation habits toward high-impact, grassroots organizations.

Textile Flow Observation:

• Identify and observe large textile sorting or distribution centres in the surrounding areas (e.g., in Greater Manchester or Lancashire) to gain insight into the scale of the export flow being generated from the North West.

 

Specific Skills Required

• Strong attention to detail and ability to record accurate data.
• Basic use of digital mapping tools for geolocation.
• Interest in ethical consumerism, social justice, and local community support.

 

Benefits of Volunteering with this organisation

This role offers more than just volunteering; it offers a direct path to civic impact and professional development right where you live.

1. Direct Local Impact & Ethical Accountability
Be the Change, Locally: You move beyond national headlines and directly address textile waste and poverty by ensuring quality donations stay in the Wigan area to serve local people who are homeless and low-income families (fulfilling the spirit of Note G).

Disrupt Waste Colonialism: You are actively working to halt the flow of low-quality garments from the North West that contribute to environmental crises in other parts of the world. Your work ensures ethical redistribution.

Empower Local Charities: By mapping and exposing misleading donation bins, you steer valuable resources and public goodwill toward trusted organizations like Rebuild with Hope Foundation and The Brick, strengthening the local social safety net.

2. Professional & Personal Development
Develop Investigative Skills: You gain hands-on experience in grassroots investigative research, using public data and digital mapping to expose opaque business practices.

Build a Local Network: You will connect directly with local community leaders, charity CEOs, environmental groups, and ethical businesses in the Wigan area, building a network based on shared social and environmental values.

Enhance Communication & Advocacy: You will lead the “Know Your Donation” campaign, developing valuable skills in public awareness, content creation, and local advocacy.

3. Concrete Portfolio & Resume Material
Quantifiable Results: Your work is measurable, you will produce the first comprehensive “Bin Scam Map” for the Wigan area, a highly marketable project for a resume focused on sustainability, social justice, or community development.

Demonstrate Initiative: This is a self-directed, specialised role that clearly demonstrates proactivity, ethical commitment, and the ability to execute an independent research project from concept to public awareness.

 

Level of commitment required 

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity

 

Date(s) / Time(s) Required

2 hours per week, flexible to candidates schedule.

 

Volunteer Opportunity Number

VO10532 (please make a note of this ‘VO’ number if applying for this role).