The dictionary defines a volunteer as a ‘person who gives freely and willingly of their time to work for a cause or project’. It is that willingness and commitment that makes our volunteers special. We have about 450 volunteers working in our charity shops, which would not be able to operate without their input. Some people might imagine working in a charity shop to be something like helping at a jumble sale. Not so. Our shops are fitted to a high standard and are clean and inviting. They are arranged as far as possible to save unnecessary work.

We welcome volunteers, regardless of age, gender, colour, creed or social status, provided they are capable of the work expected of them. Almost every shop has a paid manager, some have a paid sales assistant and many a volunteer has moved on to be a manager. Again, it is a popular misconception that all volunteers are elderly and female. We have ‘gap year’ students on work experience and ladies in their seventies, even their eighties. We have several male managers and a percentage of our volunteers are men.

Many of our volunteers are women who have left regular work to care for their families. They are happy to work while the children are at school. Older people may have retired at 50 or 55 and miss the routine of the workplace, especially if they live alone. Then there are the people on the lookout for paid employment. Working for us combines shop experience with charity work, which looks good on a CV! In the country, many farmers have taken early retirement and their wives miss the little jobs around the farm. Volunteering with NCBI retail shops allows them to go to town and meet their friends.

Interested? Check out your nearest NCBI retail shop and simply phone or call in and ask for the manager. You will be shown around and will probably meet other volunteers. This doesn’t commit you to anything. If you are interested, you will be able to discuss times mutually suitable for you to work. Shifts are normally three hours morning or afternoon, but even less time can be a big help. The manager will give you a simple form to fill and you will work either with her or with an experienced volunteer for three shifts. If you are happy to continue, you will be signed in as a volunteer.

Volunteering is a satisfying occupation, with a pronounced ‘feelgood’ factor. You will meet old friends and make new ones. You will bring fresh customers into the shop, learn new skills, bring fresh interests into your life. And all the while you are helping to raise valuable funds for NCBI.