A WORCESTERSHIRE-based hospice is encouraging people to join its volunteer team this year in the charity’s 18 shops around the county.
St Richard’s Hospice is hoping that at least 150 new volunteers will swell its ranks to help run the stores, which raise vital income towards the hospice’s care of patients and families living with a serious progressive illness.
St Richard’s shops director Dan Corns, said becoming a shop volunteer was a great step to take in a new year.
Mr Corns said, “If you’re looking to meet new people, improve your wellbeing and give something back then look no further than your local St Richard’s Hospice shop. Our volunteers tell us that these are three of the things they love most about working in our shops, along with enjoying being part of a team.”
St Richard’s already has 400 active shop volunteers who are the charity’s face within the community. In the year 2019/20, pre-pandemic, volunteers donated 92,000 hours of their time to help in the shops.
Last year the shops raised more than £500,000, with government Covid-support, through the sale of good quality clothes, bric-a-brac, books and furniture donated by local people.
Jayne Roberts volunteers at her local hospice shop two or three times a week in roles from customer service and till work, to using her creativity to make vibrant window displays.
“I have always enjoyed retail and working with the public,” says Jayne, who worked at Marks and Spencer for 14 years.
“I really enjoy volunteering and feel I am giving back something to the community. I would urge anybody to do it!”
Visit www.strichards.org.uk/support-us/volunteering/ or call 01905 763963 for more.
