Underage Sales Volunteer

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 16 August 2025
LOCATION
Thurrock
TYPE
Volunteer
LEVEL
Entry-level
CATEGORY
Government & Public Sector
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Communication Responsibility Confidence Customer interaction Sales Trading Standards

FULL DESCRIPTION

Summary

Teenagers aged 14 to 16 are sought as 'mystery shoppers' for Thurrock Council's Trading Standards. The role involves attempting to purchase age-restricted items. Key responsibilities include brief interactions with retailers and reporting outcomes. Training and support are provided, and expenses will be covered.

Key Responsibilities/Duties

  • Enter shops around Thurrock and attempt to buy products that should only be sold to over 18’s (e.g. vapes or alcohol).
  • A small amount of interaction with the retailer is required (e.g. paying for a product or being asked to show some ID).
  • The volunteer will leave the shop as soon as the product has either been bought or the retailer has refused to sell the product to the volunteer.

Core Requirements/Qualifications/Skills

  • Confidence to enter shops and ask for products
  • Must act responsibly

Role summary

Teenagers aged 14 to 16 being a “mystery shopper” for Trading Standards

Location

Throughout Thurrock – to be discussed with volunteers/parents

How to apply

Complete the application form at www.thurrock.gov.uk/volunteering

Tasks and responsibilities

  • Enter shops around Thurrock and attempt to buy products that should only be sold to over 18’s (e.g. vapes or alcohol).
  • A small amount of interaction with the retailer is required (e.g. paying for a product or being asked to show some ID).
  • The volunteer will leave the shop as soon as the product has either been bought or the retailer has refused to sell the product to the volunteer.
  • Any money required will be provided by the Trading Standards Officers.

Skills and experience

  • No previous experience required
  • Volunteer must have the confidence to enter shops and ask for products (e.g. vapes)
  • Volunteer must act responsibly

Time Commitment

• To be discussed with volunteers on an ad hoc basis as and when required.

Please note there is no guarantee Trading Standards will need to use you for this role.

• A few hours to a full day

• Maybe a few hours one evening – to be discussed with volunteers/parents

Support you will get

  • Induction training and on-going support
  • Money for any required purchases will be provided by Trading Standards
  • Trading Standards will pay for refreshments and/or meals during any agreed voluntary work

This role does not require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

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