Covid-19 update: Our Processing Centres are Covid-secure and will be remaining open in January, as volunteering is still allowed within the current restrictions. We will continue to follow the latest guidance and review and update our processes accordingly.

A vital part of the Operation Christmas Child year takes place behind the scenes in the immediate weeks that follow Drop-off Locations being open. It’s during this period that thousands of generous supporters donate their time to manually check hundreds of thousands of shoeboxes for safety and customs compliance before they’re sent to children in need around the world.

This year our regional processing centres are located in:

• West Midlands (Oldbury)
• South East (Tonbridge)
• North West (Leigh)

Ways to get involved:

• Volunteer to check shoeboxes – sign up for as few or as many slots as you like. The processing centre experience is great for families, friends, church and groups members or corporate volunteering days. Come along and enjoy putting the finishing touches to shoeboxes gifts, knowing you’ll be bringing joy to thousands of children around the world.   

To book a slot please visit the relevant Eventbrite page below:

West Midlands Booking Page

South East Booking page

North West Booking page

• Coordinate shoebox collections for your area – some volunteers coordinate shoebox collections for their local area, making sure everyone knows where and when the collections are happening and playing a vital role in ensuring every shoebox reaches its destination.
• Become a driver – in every local area we have volunteers who collect the boxes that are handed in at our Drop-off Locations and drive them to the nearest processing centre or storage point.
• Join a processing centre support team – in each of our processing centres, we need a small team of volunteers to support with reception, car parking, supervising, unloading vans and loading lorries etc.  

If you are interested in coordinating collections, becoming a driver or joining a processing centre support team, please click the button below to complete an interest form. Whether you can be available every day or maybe only once a week, your support would be really valuable.

Register Interest

Whatever your skill set, there will almost certainly be a role for you.

A great experience for all the family…

“I took my wife and three boys to the warehouse in Oldbury.  We were going to do just the morning, but we ended up staying all day.  We all loved it and will definitely go and help again.  That place in Oldbury is like a little piece of heaven.  My boys had been learning about the love of God at kids’ church the Sunday before.  When we came back one of them said to me, ‘It was great to be able to send God’s love to children who need it.’  It was so great to hear my child say that.”

Stuart T

Prioritising safety

The health and safety of our staff, local partners, and beneficiaries is of utmost importance to us. Our processing centres have been set up to accommodate social distancing, additional cleaning protocols have been introduced and face coverings will be required.

Covid-Secure Arrangements

It will not surprise you that our systems are a little different this year but you will be pleased to know that during an August testing session in the Midlands we were inspected by the local public health authorities who were delighted with our preparations. 

a) No more than two people socially distanced on a table unless a group is already a household or support bubble. 

b) All volunteers in our processing centres must wear face coverings. We would encourage you to bring your own but can provide some if needed.

c) We apologise but we will not be able to provide drinks this year.  Your lunch, if staying, will need to be eaten at your table or outside in your car.

d) For everyone’s safety, coats and bags will need to stay with you under your table or in your car. 

e) To maintain social distancing, when you arrive, we may ask you to wait in your car until we come and get you. This is to ensure 2m distancing when registering.

F) If you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19, even if you have not been tested yet or they are mild, then we ask you not to attend the Centre and where possible please cancel your booking online so someone else can use your slot. We will be asking you to take a distanced temperature test when you arrive.

Shielding

If you are in a shielding group (extremely clinically vulnerable) then we are sorry but we cannot accept you as a volunteer for 2020.

Aged 70 or over (clinically vulnerable)

Current government guidance on volunteers who are 70 or over is that they can volunteer but we need to risk assess the roles available and must follow social distancing guidelines.  This means that most but not all roles will be open to you.

Thank you for considering partnering with us in this way to bring ‘Good News and Great Joy’ to the world’s children.