Visiting Dutch students have been praised for their work ethos and people skills after sparing time to volunteer in two leading charity shops. Thirsa Voets, Emma Klijn, Joanna Bel, Emma Van Willigen and Anna Mourik helped at the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) stores in Plumstead Road and Aylsham Road, both in Norwich.
The 14 and 15-year-olds, from the Gomarus Scholengemeenschap School, in Gorinchem, visited as part of a student internship and spent a week serving customers, sorting donations and making displays, including helping dress the shop windows. It is the third time students from their school volunteered as part of the exchange programme and, having made such a positive impression, they have already been given the chance to return next Spring.
Sally Rix, EACH’s North East Relief and Cluster Manager, said: “I first got involved after being asked to accommodate some Dutch youngsters before Covid, when I was manager of our shop in Unthank Road.
“It went fantastically well and I found their work ethos and people skills amazing, so agreed to a second year. The girls were even more amazing this time around and their respect for each other and their teacher shone through.
“They worked hard and were very adaptable to different tasks. It was a pleasure to work with them and I’ve already agreed to having more next year, and possibly another school later in the year.”
