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“Our shops are fun, vibrant and welcoming places, where the atmosphere and enthusiasm is infectious” – EACH launches a campaign to help recruit more retail volunteers

Volunteers have the chance to make a “significant, positive and lasting” contribution to their community by sparing time to support a leading children’s charity. East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is on the lookout for extra help in its 47 shops across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

The organisation’s retail operation is a vital source of income to help run its hospices in Milton, near Cambridge, Framingham Earl, near Norwich, and Ipswich. It relies on voluntary donations and needs to raise £7.8 million this year alone from its shops across the region, in addition to its Retail Distribution Centre, in Thetford.

Volunteers play a crucial role and now EACH is launching its ‘Be the difference’ campaign, to encourage more would-be helpers to step forward and join its team. The initiative started this week and runs until the end of the month. Posters will be on display in-store and staff and existing volunteers on hand to answer questions and explain more.

“It’s hard to emphasise enough just how special and important our army of loyal, dedicated and selfless volunteers are,” said Hannah Milbourne, EACH’s Volunteer Services and Development Manager.

“Quite simply, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them and now the hope is that we can encourage more people to step forward and join them.

“We’re always so grateful to hear from anyone interested in lending a hand and volunteering in one of our shops is the perfect way to make a significant, positive and lasting contribution to the community, as well as the children and families receiving our care and support.

“They’re also a vibrant, welcoming and fun place to be and I love visiting our shops. The atmosphere and enthusiasm you’ll find there is infectious. When people think of volunteering, they think of someone offering a whole day. However, it doesn’t have to be that way.

“We appreciate people have busy lives and giving a morning or afternoon once a week or fortnight would make the world of difference in your local shop. The hours people donate are entirely flexible and a friendly welcome is absolutely guaranteed.”

Hannah also pointed out that there is a range of jobs in the shops, to suit people’s tastes, skills and backgrounds.

“Some people enjoy serving customers, but others are less keen to use the till and that’s absolutely fine,” she said.

“There are so many other things they can do, including sorting and organising donations and listing eBay items – something that is a particular need for us. There’s something for everyone and I’d encourage anyone to go along to their local shop and give it a go.

“As well as finding it genuinely enjoyable and rewarding, our existing volunteers tell us it’s very sociable and a lovely way to meet new people and make friends.”

For more information, speak to a member of staff in-store or contact volunteer services on 01223 205183. Alternatively, email volunteerservices@each.org.uk

To find your nearest EACH shop, head here.

Notes to Editors

“EACH has made us all feel part of an extended family and, thanks to staff and fellow families, we’re not alone with problems. We always leave The Treehouse feeling positive, stronger and thankful.”

  • We care for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, and support their families.
  • We offer families flexibility and control over where they receive their care and support, including where their child dies – at home, in hospital or at one of three hospices at Milton (Cambridge), The Nook (Norfolk) and The Treehouse (Ipswich).
  • Our family-centred approach includes specialist nursing care, symptom management support, short breaks, wellbeing activities, therapies and counselling, all meeting the individual needs of the child, young person and whole family.
  • We are recognised as leaders in our field, with a reputation for excellence and commitment to pioneering development and innovation.
  • We rely on voluntary donations for the majority of our income and this year need to raise £5.8 million from fundraising and £6.5 million in income from our shops. The year before the pandemic we received just 16% of our total income from statutory sources.
  • EACH Royal Patron –Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales.
  • For more information about EACH, including forthcoming events and how you can help raise funds,visit each.org.uk or call our Suffolk fundraisers on 01473 917965.

Keep in touch:

www.each.org.uk
www.twitter.com/EACH_hospice
www.facebook.com/EACHhospices
www.instagram.com/eachhospices
www.linkedin.com/company/eachhospices


For further information about this release please contact:

Matt Plummer | Media and PR Manager | 07738 328058 | Matt.Plummer@each.org.uk

 

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