Job Opportunity

Charity: Porridge and Pens
Location: Brightlingsea, Essex (with some local travel for car boot sales)
Hours: Up to 20 hours per week, flexible
Contract: 3-months (with the chance to extend)
Pay: £11.44 per hour (National Living Wage from April 2025)

About Us

Porridge and Pens is a small UK charity that supports children and families in Ghana. To raise vital funds, we sell donated items online and at local sales events. We already have two brilliant sellers looking after high-value donations, and now we’re looking for someone new to help us get the most out of lower-value items like clothing and everyday goods. Nothing goes to waste — every sale helps us make a difference. 

The Role

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys selling online and doesn’t mind rolling up their sleeves at car boot sales. You’ll be helping us turn donated items into income for our small charity. We are looking for someone who can work steadily and keep things moving, as selling lower-value items efficiently is key to making the role worthwhile.

What you’ll do:

• Photograph and list donated items (mainly clothing and household goods) on Facebook Marketplace, Depop and our Vinted charity account and car boot sales. 
• Split your time between listing and packaging/posting to keep things efficient.
• Answer questions from buyers and keep track of what’s listed and sold.
• Set up and run car boot sales on your own — this means transporting stock, setting up the stall, handling cash and card payments, and bringing everything back to base in Brightlingsea.
• Work independently, using your judgement on pricing and presentation.
• Have monthly check-ins to see how things are going and agree targets together.
• Get advice and support from a highly experienced online seller who’s been part of our team for a while.

About You

We’d love to hear from you if you are:

• Reliable and able to work without lots of supervision.
• Confident using apps like Facebook Marketplace, Depop, or Vinted (or willing to learn).
• Comfortable handling cash and using a card reader.
• Organised and able to keep on top of stock.
• Physically able to lift and carry items and set up stalls.
• Legally allowed to work in the UK.

It’s a bonus (but not essential) if you have:

• Experience selling online or at markets/car boots.
• A driving licence and your own car/van (mileage and expenses covered).
• An interest in supporting small charities and fundraising.

What You’ll Get

• Flexible hours that can fit around your week.
• The chance to build your online selling and retail skills.
• Support from an experienced seller so you’re never on your own.
• A role where every sale you make helps children and families in Ghana.
• Possibility to carry on after 3 months if the role works well.

How to Apply

If this sounds like you, please send your CV and a short message about your experience with selling (or why you’d like to give it a go) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Deadline: We’ll review applications as they come in, and may close the role early if we find the right person.