Angela’s Story
Finding Purpose in Giving Back: Angela’s Story as a Hospice at Home Volunteer
My name is Angela Power. I’m retired, and my husband and I moved to Penrith about 16 months ago. I have been volunteering at the Hospice at Home shop in Penrith for about eight months. When I retired, I wanted to stay fit, healthy, and mentally stimulated by making new friends. I’m actively involved in the WI and the local U3A groups—I run a book club, a Writing4Pleasure group, and Scrabble and Rummikub sessions—but I still had some spare time.
About eight months ago, one of my friends from the WI, who also volunteers, suggested I help out at Hospice at Home. I made an appointment to meet Maz and offered to volunteer a couple of mornings a week.
As an enthusiastic charity shop customer, I had visited many times and was impressed by the cleanliness and friendliness of the shop. I knew very little about the charity, though I gathered it was local to the area and smaller in comparison to the bigger names. I got on with Maz immediately, and once I was shown what to do, I was able to work independently and take initiative.
There’s always plenty to do in the shop—sorting and steaming stock, keeping the different sections attractive and well-stocked, and serving at the till. I enjoy all aspects of the work, especially helping people find what they’re looking for. We have many visitors to Penrith as well as loyal regular customers who support us. Charity shopping has become a highly respected way to hunt down bargains while supporting a good cause and promoting recycling.
I love the structure of volunteering and often go home feeling that I’ve accomplished something worthwhile. As a shop, we welcome volunteers who can give as much or as little time as they like. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that giving my time for free can be just as rewarding—if not more so—than a paid position. I’ve also discovered that maintaining structure as a retired person is essential for both my mental and physical health.
Just this week, I followed a lady out of another charity shop after she had been unsuccessful in finding a hat for a wedding. As we were leaving at the same time, I struck up a conversation and invited her to come with me to Hospice at Home, knowing we had some wedding hats on display that might suit her. She found one she loved and was delighted to discover the shop. She browsed other items, admitted that she had visited before, and said she would definitely return. A win-win!
I would highly recommend charity shop volunteering to anyone who enjoys meeting new people, making new friends, and has a little spare time. Choose a charity that resonates with you and a shop you’d want to buy from yourself—this was a key factor in my decision, as was the shop manager. Maz, our manager, is kind, caring, and runs the shop efficiently.
As a team, we try to go out at least twice a year for a get-together—usually over food. It strengthens our bond and allows us to connect with people we might never have met otherwise. After all, strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet.
Find out more about volunteering
www.hospiceathome.co.uk/volunteering/
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