Tell us about your volunteering at CHSW? What’s your typical day/week?
I currently volunteer 1 day a week in the Brixham Shop, which is usually a 9 ½ hour day. When I started at the shop, I didn’t really know what to expect as I had never worked in retail before, but I informed the manager that I would be happy to do whatever was needed to support the shop, staff and other volunteers.
A typical day for me usually begins with preparing the till for the day ahead, moving new donations from the shop floor to the processing room, pricing and preparing the fiction books ready for stocking the shelves and of course, putting them in alphabetical order! This is followed by preparing and stocking shelves with media such as DVDs, CDs and vinyl records and then the pricing of new goods in readiness for sale. My afternoons are generally doing the till operator function, and whilst covering the till I do the hanging, pricing and steaming of clothes ready for sale and then rotate clothing to make space for the new stock. At the end of the day, I close the shop and cash up.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering at CHSW?
I enjoy volunteering at CHSW as it is very different to anything I have done before. I find it very rewarding meeting people from all walks of life and I get to have a laugh and a joke whilst also remaining professional.
I take great comfort in knowing that the effort I put in equates to valuable income for CHSW which enables them to deliver great quality care and support during difficult times.
What motivated you to become a volunteer?
As a family we made use of some of the services that CHSW has to offer and although we were able to make a monetary donation, I felt that when I retired, I would be able to give some time to CHSW. I didn’t really know how or what to do but called into the shop in Brixham and the manager was so welcoming and enthusiastic that I knew that this was somewhere I could add some value.
Having used the services offered by CHSW I wanted to give something back. Volunteering in the shop enables me to do this.
How did you become a volunteer? What job were you doing before?
I took early retirement from the NHS where I was the IT Manager for an NHS Trust and knew that I would have some spare time. I wanted to do something voluntary and having used the services of CHSW this was the logical place to start my journey, so I visited the Brixham shop, collected a volunteer application form and the rest is history.
What would you say are the skills you need to be a volunteer? Have you learnt any new skills since being in post?
My journey has enabled me to better communicate with people face to face, rather than from behind a computer screen or emails which has been a real positive for me.
There are many skills needed to be a volunteer, but this shouldn’t put people off as you can learn them on your journey. The basics would be ready, willing and able with a can-do attitude.
I have learnt new skills such as using the till and steaming clothing. In addition, I have learnt many things in terms of the charity retail function which I have found very beneficial in adapting to the role of a volunteer.
If you could do another job within CHSW for the day, what would it be?
I am fortunate to have the flexibility to do many roles within the shop and really enjoy them all. However, if I could do another role within CHSW it would be to spend a day with the teams that support the shops.
How does it feel to be a part of the CHSW family?
When you use the services of CHSW you become part of the family and I feel very fortunate to be a volunteer here and knowing that what CHSW does makes a huge difference. I feel that I am a valued member of the team and am proud to let people know that I volunteer for such a great organisation.
Tell us anything else you love about your volunteering role/CHSW...
It’s hard to describe but I just love what I do as a volunteer and look forward to going to work, meeting people and being part of a great team. Knowing that what we all do makes a huge difference to families in the South West.
Give us 3 words to describe CHSW...
Kind, Compassionate, Supportive.