Textile Recovery Centre

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Creating social change by tackling textile waste


The Nest Community offers volunteer opportunities for craft-loving women in Brisbane, who share our values of sustainability, community, and conservation.

The majority of our volunteers work within our Textile Recovery Centre that allows us to stock our social enterprise, The Nest Haberdashery. By giving your time, you are enabling us to deliver valuable free programs like the Exchange Project.

As textile resources are donated, you will be sorting and repackaging it ready for sale. On the shop floor, you’ll be able to apply your customer service skills and offer advice to our customers, sewists and crafters of all ages.

Our ethos is that people and resources should be equally valued and we pride ourselves on high-quality customer service and immaculate presentation. Our operations team has systems in place that nurture a sense of belonging and provide you with training and support to ensure you have the right tools for success and feel part of the team.

Shifts are generally 5 hours and for consistency we are looking for volunteers who can commit to a regular weekly shift for a minimum of 6 months.

When you volunteer with The Nest Community you will be joining a group of extraordinary women. The combination of their hand making skills, leadership qualities and professional backgrounds creates a rich tapestry of talent and knowledge that fuels all of our activities.

Due to the large number of applications, we reserve the right to select the most suitable individuals for volunteer positions.

FAQ's about volunteering with The Nest Community


What’s in it for me?
  • Gain a sense of purpose. Studies show that people with purpose live longer, sleep better, have a more robust immune system, lower stress levels and higher cognitive function.
  • Make friends with like-minded, craft-loving women
  • Build your confidence by challenging yourself to learn new skills
  • Be surrounded by fabulous yarn and fabric
  • Feel satisfaction that your contribution enables us to deliver free programs like the Exchange Project, teaching vulnerable teenage girls hand-making skills to improve confidence and resilience.
Who are we looking for?
  • Volunteers who share our values of sustainability, community, and conservation and have a love of craft and making
  • Volunteers who can commit to a regular weekly or fortnightly shift
  • Applicants must be physically able to stand for the duration of a 4-5 hours shift
  • You must have good mobility to work in a busy environment with limited space and light lifting of donations is part of the role.
  • You must be computer literate to respond to emails, complete online forms, read electronic newsletters.
When can I volunteer?
We have a variety of shifts in the morning and afternoon Monday to Saturday. Successful applicants will be allocated a weekly or fortnightly regular shift. Shifts are 3 - 5 hours in duration.

Current Shifts
Mon – Fri 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Wed 1 pm – 4 pm
Thurs 1 pm – 4 pm
Sat 9:30 am - 1:30 pm and 1 pm – 4:30 pm

What will I be doing?
You may be

  • Working on the cash register or helping customers in our retail space
  • Assisting with donation sorting in our Textile Recovery Centre
  • Measuring fabric and doing stock rotation
  • Some light cleaning duties
  • Once you are started in the Haberdashery and Textile Recovery Centre,
    opportunities may arise to assist girls on the Exchange Project, making products for our fundraising craft stall and other projects.
What do volunteers wear?
It can get quite hot at times so please wear something light and comfortable.
You are also required to wear:

  • Closed in shoes
  • A denim apron provided by The Nest
  • A Nest name badge
Can I volunteer with a friend?
You are welcome to apply at the same time as a friend however due to the space we have available, we have to cap the number of volunteers per shift. It is unlikely that you will be rostered together on the same shift, but rest assured you will make new friends at The Nest!
Why do I need a Blue Card?
We collaborate with local schools in the Exchange Project and school excursions. As a child safe organisation, we require every volunteer to have a Blue Card.