A long-serving charity shop employee hopes to celebrate her return to management by welcoming new volunteers to join the team.
Nicola Emerick has taken the reins at East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) shop in Woodbridge, having rejoined as a Sales Supervisor in February.
She previously managed EACH’s shop in Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, between 2009 and 2017 and then, after a short break, from late 2017 until 2021.
“It’s great to be back in a management role, and this is a cause I feel passionately about,” said Nicola, who left four years ago to run The Gardener’s Arms pub, in Ipswich.
“It’s hard work, demanding and fast-paced, but I find it so satisfying knowing every penny raised directly helps the children and families receiving care and support.
“It’s not like we’re operating in the corporate world – making a rich company even richer. This feels very different and gives me such a feelgood factor.
“It’s also been fantastic seeing how the retail operation has grown massively in my years of working for EACH.
“When I first started, we only had five shops, but now that number has exploded to 54 across Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Norfolk.”
Nicola, 46, started in her new manager’s role on 1st November and is delighted to be working in Woodbridge.
One thing she has immediately switched her attention to is trying to recruit more volunteers, and the team are planning an open day on Saturday, 29th November, from 10am until 4pm.
“It’s a chance to celebrate with our community,” said Nicola.
“We’ll have a table set up to share more information about volunteering and to sign people up for taster sessions.
“It’s such a lovely shop, and we’re fortunate to receive lots of high-quality donations.
“We’re also blessed to have some lovely, dedicated and long-standing volunteers – some of whom have been helping since the shop opened in December 2019.
“The problem is we desperately need to multiply that number, particularly needing extra help on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
“They’re our hardest days, and it can be quite overwhelming at times, given our footfall and trying to keep on top of our donations.
“However, we’d be delighted to hear from anyone and whether they can spare a morning, afternoon or day a week, they’ll be making an invaluable contribution.
“None of our shops can function without volunteers, so they’d be making a real and genuine difference.”
Anyone keen to find out more, but unable to attend the open day, is welcome to pop in for a chat. Alternatively, email Nicola via Nicola.Emerick@each.org.uk or call the shop on 01394 337271.
