Weston Hospicecare runs 2 shops in Burnham-on-Sea; our College Street store, which operates as a £1 shop, and our new High Street store, which opened in October 2017. Both stores are well supported by the local community who both donate and buy goods, and with spring and summer seasons right around the corner, we are looking to add to our amazing team of volunteers.
Emily Wagemans is the manager of our Burnham High Street store, and she loves the variety of the role. No two days are ever the same, but the sense of community always remains.
“I’ve always worked in retail,” Emily says. “But I am most passionate about the charity aspect of it. I love what we can offer as a store; not just in terms of the goods we sell and the money we raise, but also what we can offer to anyone looking to volunteer.
I often find people come into volunteer as a way of giving something back to Weston Hospicecare; maybe we cared for their relative or friend, and they’d like to offer a couple of hours a week as way of saying thank you.”
Emily and her team are friendly and welcoming, and helping in one of our shops is a great way to make new friends. Volunteering is perfect for those looking to gain more confidence; maybe you’ve had a gap in their employment and would like to gain new skills before re-entering the work force.
Any time that people can offer is always gratefully received, and we provide all the training you need. Maybe you find yourself with more time on your hands now that the kids are all in school full-time, or you’re recently retired but missing that workplace vibe.
Kim, one of Emily’s volunteers, thoroughly enjoys her role: “Being here is like a home away from home. I feel privileged to say I love volunteering here. Emily is great; she’s easy going, relaxed, and a lot of fun. We have such a good laugh, and there’s no pressure. I really feel like this is our shop, and I’m proud to be a part of this team.”
If you’d like to know more about volunteering in our Burnham High Street store, call into the shop anytime from Monday, 5th Feb- Weds 7th Feb for a chat. Cake is also on offer! We’d love to meet as many people as possible so please pop by and say hello.