help finding work experience in retail

you'll probably have to look further afield than Bridgend. I know a friend who lives in Maidstone but has been stuck in a Tesco near Royal Tunbridge Wells for several years now, cause nothing else exists.

To get retail work experience in Bridgend, you can apply for programs like Jobs Growth Wales+ through Careers Wales, which includes placements.

Try to look for short-term placements (1-2 weeks) or placements that involve a day a week over a period of time. Many local retailers may offer these opportunities.

You can also seek shorter placements by shadowing someone, visiting local stores. Ask local shops if you can shadow an employee to see what the job involves.

 Another option is to look for entry-level or no-experience retail roles that offer on-the-job training and career progression, such as those advertised on job sites like Indeed. 

How to find opportunities

• Contact local stores directly: Visit stores in Bridgend that interest you and inquire about work experience or entry-level positions.
• Check job sites: Search for "retail assistant" or similar roles in Bridgend on job sites like Indeed. Many roles do not require prior experience.
• Look for apprenticeships: Consider a retail apprenticeship, which can provide structured training and a qualification.
• Volunteer: Volunteering can be a good way to gain experience if paid roles are not immediately available. 

You can opt out volunteering, as you already have 6 years experience in volunteer.

My two cents.

Honestly, I don't think you should bother with apprenticeship or work experience in retail, as you already have 6 years experience in volunteer. Only working at tills processing customer transactions needs experience, anyone can do the rest without any experience. What about Aldi or Lidl, which are often in search of new employees!

sounds like you'd benefit from looking for remote work that's not bound by location.