New charity shop volunteers are being thanked and praised for stepping up and responding to a recent recruitment campaign.
The East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) initiative was launched last month to highlight the different roles available in its 48 shops and Retail Distribution Centre, in Thetford.
Called ‘Don’t pass by, give volunteering a try!’, the campaign shone a spotlight on different opportunities available – from serving customers to sorting and pricing donations, dressing windows, steaming clothes, testing electrical equipment and listing items on eBay.
It ran for three weeks, with creative window displays, staff proactively sharing the message and extensive press and social media coverage.
EACH remains keen to hear from anyone interested in getting in touch and supporting its fast-growing retail operation.
However, the charity is reflecting with pride on the success of its latest campaign.
“We’re delighted to report that we’ve recruited 66 new volunteers, which is a real achievement given the challenging financial climate,” said EACH Volunteer Services and Development Manager Hannah Milbourne.
“It’s great news and means extra pairs of hands for our hardworking retail teams, who raise vital funds to help us continue our work.
“We couldn’t be more thankful to those who stepped forward and showed a willingness to get involved, in response to our campaign.
“We’re thrilled to welcome them to our team and hope they enjoy being part of our great charity – safe in the knowledge they’re making a genuine difference to the children and families receiving our care and support.
“Volunteering is fun, sociable and rewarding and I hope that reflects their experiences in the coming weeks, months and, hopefully, years.”
Hannah was speaking during national Volunteers’ Week – a celebration that started on Monday and runs until Sunday, with the theme being ’40 years of volunteers’.
“In the spirit of Volunteers’ Week, it’s worth stressing that, just because this campaign has ended, we’re still keen to hear from anyone interested in joining us,” she said.
“We have a fast-growing retail operation and there are opportunities to suit people’s skills and interests.
“There are so many things that make a genuine difference.
“Everyone’s different and people have such a vast range of skills and backgrounds.
“That’s why it’s so important to highlight the various things they can do, because it’s not just about serving on the till – although that’s very important, of course.”
Other retail roles include being a key holder, listing and sending books and being a driver’s mate, heading out to distribute goods, including collecting and dropping off furniture.
To find out more about volunteering for EACH, pop into your local shop, visit each.org.uk/volunteering, email volunteering@each.org.uk or call 01223 205183 (option four).
EACH is also on the lookout for extra volunteers to support its events team, including two one-off opportunities at upcoming events in Suffolk – its first-ever Newmarket Bubble Rush, on 7th July, and The Piglet Junior Hog, near Woodbridge, on 14th July. To find out more, click here (or make contact using the details above).
