With 2018 now under way, many people will have already made resolutions for the year ahead. However, as well as making a difference to your life, Age UK is also urging people to use their plans to make a difference to someone else’s by signing up to volunteer in the Age UK Westbury shop.
Age UK has over 390 shops across the UK, selling all kinds of quality second hand goods that raise vital funds for a range of services to support older people. However, being a shop volunteer involves more than just assisting with sales and donations.
Each shop is set at the heart of its neighbourhood and often acts as magnet, particularly for local older people, who often come in for a chat as well as to browse the latest bargains. As well as raising much-needed funds, Age UK shops also offer a range of free information leaflets on issues effecting those in later life, such as health and wellbeing, housing and care.
Staff and volunteers are responsible for making sure customers who visit the shop feel welcome, and with around 200,000 older people going an entire month without having a conversation with friends or family, the interaction they provide really can make a difference.
It’s also great for volunteers too, a quarter of all Age UK volunteers (24%) say that socialising and making new friends is their main reason for volunteering.
Sarah White, shop manager at the Age UK Westbury shop said, “Set in the heart of the local community, our shops and volunteers provide a friendly face and a great place to shop. As well as ensuring the Age UK Westbury shop raises much-needed funds to support the charity’s work with older people across the county, the volunteers really do make a difference.
“We have volunteering opportunities available for people of all ages, so if you’re interested in helping us, please do get in touch!”
Jilly Nix a volunteer at the Age UK Westbury shop said, “No two days are the same at the Age UK Westbury shop! Our tasks are so varied and we meet new people every day. As well as knowing my work makes a difference, I enjoy being able to chat to people and feeling like I am part of the local community. I would encourage anyone thinking of signing up to give volunteering a go.”
Volunteering works both ways, with three-quarters of Age UK volunteers (73%) experiencing an increased sense of belonging in their community. More than two in five Age UK volunteers (43%) say that they have increased their support network since volunteering with the charity and almost two-fifths (63%) say that they have increased their range of trusted friends. Further highlighting the many rewards volunteering offers, 98% would recommend Age UK as a place to volunteer because of the positive experience they have had.
For more information about volunteering and to find your nearest shop visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved or get in touch with the Age UK Westbury shop on 01373 823518
Age UK has over 390 shops across the UK, which are reliant on the kind donations of the local community to keep the shelves stocked and supported by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers. The shops accept unwanted goods such as clothing and accessories, gifts, toys, household items and shoes. The profits raised through Age UK’s shops goes towards helping the charity deliver vital national services for older people, including Age UK’s free advice line (open 365 days a year) and vital campaigning work, as well as supporting Age UK’s network of local partners.
To find your local Age UK shop or for more information about Age UK please visit www.ageuk. org.uk.
