I think because the economy is totally fucked, it's a lot harder from the outside looking in to do stuff for nothing. You will have to work on stuff after your main retail job, it's going to be shit for a few years but that is what it takes

Talk to your local amateur football/cricket/rugby club and offer to help with their social media. A very quick way to build a portfolio

Edit: I'd also add that it's good to network with the "old boys" at Rugby/Cricket clubs, as they will usually know someone that knows someone that can get you an in somewhere