About British Red Cross
What is the British Red Cross?
The British Red Cross is part of the world's largest humanitarian network. Since 1870 — incorporated by Royal Charter in 1908 — the charity has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are, across the UK and globally. The Red Cross runs 330 British Red Cross shops on UK high streets, deploys emergency response teams when crisis strikes domestically, supports refugees and asylum seekers, teaches first aid to thousands every year, and delivers health and social care across UK communities.
The British Red Cross is registered as a charity in England and Wales (220949), Scotland (SC037738), the Isle of Man (0752), and Jersey (430), and operates as the UK arm of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRC/IFRC).
Where will I work?
The British Red Cross is headquartered at 44 Moorfields, London EC2Y 9AL, with offices in locations nationwide. Roles span the UK with hybrid opportunities — staff can work between home and office depending on their team. Frontline roles (emergency response, retail, refugee services, health and social care) are necessarily location-based; corporate, digital, and fundraising roles offer the most schedule flexibility.
What is the British Red Cross team like?
The organization spans 9 departments working in concert: Retail (the 330 shops), Technology and digital, International and overseas, Emergency response, Corporate services (finance, HR, marketing), Education and training (first aid), Health and social care, Refugee services, and Fundraising.
Four named values guide work: compassionate, courageous, dynamic, and inclusive — applied through a "values in action" framework that shapes day-to-day decisions. Staff voices like Patrizia Lombardi (team leader, crisis response contact centre, Manchester) describe the dynamic: "It's a friendly, supportive atmosphere and we all care about helping people who need it" and the freedom to "dip into the different services we offer."
The Red Cross has a strict code of conduct addressing misconduct, sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse — staff and volunteers are bound by this code, and the organization actively encourages reporting.
Work-Life Balance
Staff get 36 days annual leave including bank holidays, with the option to purchase 5 extra days. Enhanced parental leave kicks in after 52 weeks of continuous service: 6 weeks at full pay, 12 weeks at 50%, and 21 weeks at either 50% or statutory pay (whichever is greater) — applicable to maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave. Parents are entitled to up to 18 weeks unpaid ordinary parental leave per child, and carers can take up to 5 days of paid leave annually regardless of service length.
The Wellbeing support and advice helpline is positioned explicitly: "Mental health matters. We want all our staff to know they have someone to talk to when they need it most."
Perks and Benefits
- 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + option to buy 5 extra days
- Enhanced parental leave after 52 weeks service: 6 weeks full pay + 12 weeks 50% + 21 weeks 50%-or-statutory
- 18 weeks unpaid ordinary parental leave per child
- 5 days/year paid carer's leave regardless of service length
- Wellbeing support and advice helpline for mental health
- Pension scheme for retirement security
- Training and development opportunities — range of courses
- Blue Light Card discounts at well-known shops, restaurants, brands
- Cycle to work scheme — for active commuting
- Interest-free season ticket loan to spread commuting costs
- Flexible working — hybrid roles UK-wide