Help Wanted

Do you sometimes find the days drag a little? Maybe the children are at school, or you’re in the house on your own because you’re not working or have retired? Would you like to get out, do something useful and meet new people?

Then, volunteering in a local charity shop could be just the thing. You get to meet lots of different people – customers as well as other volunteers and staff – while helping raise funds for a worthwhile cause.

Generally, volunteering times can be arranged at times to suit and the tasks volunteers do are varied. They include sorting donated goods, restocking and arranging displays, making customers feel welcome, advising on purchases and till work.

Frequently, you can focus on an area that especially interests you. For example, if you’re an enthusiastic music fan, you could look after a shop’s music section, sorting, pricing and displaying donated CDs, tapes and records. Or if you find ironing therapeutic, what about steaming? Steaming is even easier than ironing and more rewarding; creases literally fall out and garments that look like rags are transformed.

Several shops in Leighton Buzzard need more volunteers. One is the Willen Hospice shop which is looking for people who can spare at least one morning or afternoon each week.

Lorraine Carter, Willen Hospice Shop Manager, says “You don’t need experience of shop or retail work, just be willing to give it a go. We’ll show you what to do and there’s always someone around to ask if you do get stuck. If you’re thinking about a career in retail, this could be a perfect opportunity to get work experience.”

Brenda, a volunteer at the Willen Hospice shop, says: “I enjoy the social contact, we all have a laugh and the customers are so friendly. Also, if it wasn’t for volunteers the shop wouldn’t be here and people who use the hospice would lose out.”

Another volunteer, Pat, echoes her sentiments: “I love coming here, everyone’s so friendly it’s become like an extended family to me.”

To find out more about volunteering in a charity shop in Leighton Buzzard or about the hundreds of other volunteering opportunities in South Bedfordshire, contact Lucy, Rebecca or Janet at the Volunteer Centre South Bedfordshire, tel. 01525 850559.