Vanessa has been volunteering as a Stock Preparation Assistant at our charity shop in St Edmunds for two years.
With her children all grown-up and part-time work on the family farm being a solitary occupation, Vanessa felt it would be good to work with others and support Cancer Research UK at the same time.
“I had supported Cancer Research UK through monthly donations for a number of years so volunteering at my local charity shop seemed the next logical step.
“I sort, check, label and hang donated clothes and accessories.
“I didn’t have retail experience when I first started but I enjoy sorting out the clothes and the weird and wonderful bric-a-brac items, brand spotting, sizing and keeping the shop freshly stocked and interesting.
It’s also fun trying to help customers with particular requirements such as 70s or 80s costume parties and local students with dressing up days.
“I would say to anyone thinking of volunteering to go for it. You don’t have to be a certain age or type of person, I have worked with volunteers from 16 years upwards and from all different backgrounds.
You’ll also make new friends, learn new skills and at the same time raise funds for a very worthwhile charity.
Volunteer in one of our charity shops
Find out more about the volunteering roles available and approach your local shop today.