Artist in Residence at Hospiscare shop helps raise charity funds
Dan Dickens, 60 from Exeter, has found a unique way of volunteering for local charity Hospiscare in one of their Exeter shops. Dan, a local artist, has bought his talents into a niche role at the South Street Shop (Exeter), which specialises in vintage and antique books, music, art and collectables.
Dan explains: “I’ve had a few health problems recently, so just over a year ago as part of my recovery I decided to do some volunteering. Charity shops have always appealed to me and over my lifetime I have furnished a couple of homes from the Hospiscare shops in Exeter. I have a passion for art and collecting so it was a natural choice to apply for a shop volunteering role. The usual tasks you think of with this nature of volunteering is replenishing stock, pricing, serving customers and cleaning. But I provide a new context of involvement that rewards both myself and the charity.
“I volunteer in the South Street Shop most Tuesdays. I come along, sit in the shop and fix up art that’s badly damaged. I also work on dull paintings that need cheering up. It’s usually pieces that are not good enough for sale in their current condition, so with a bit of work they get refreshed and can then be sold on.
“Art has been part of my life since I was a kid. I sell my own oil paintings, specialise in repair and I also teach.
“When you work as an artist it’s often in isolation. Coming into the shop with the atmosphere of a work place and customers has been therapeutic. So, of course I want to carry on volunteering, they are such a friendly crowd in the shop. I would encourage others to give volunteering a go too. Hospiscare helps you find a role that suits you and if you’re as lucky as me you’ll find something that actually develops your talents.”
Hospiscare’s South Street Shop Manager Glyn Antle-Trapnell commented: “I like to maximise on the talents our volunteers have and give people the opportunity to use their skills and expertise. Originally, Dan applied to our Fore Street Shop, but when I found out about his artistic background and passion for collecting I knew he would be ideally suited to the South Street Shop. The shop is an eclectic mix of ever-changing stock and a treasure trove of unique items, which pulls in international shoppers from China, Japan and the United States.
“The more I got to know Dan, the more convinced I was of how we could use his skill base. As an artist and teacher he is confident and comfortable creating art with people watching. It takes a positive frame of mind to work on a piece of art while being questioned about your technique and artistic background, and Dan always responds in an inclusive way. His painting in the shop has transformed the customer experience. People interact with Dan whilst he paints, it gives a whole new dimension to the shop environment, which has become more expansive and creative.
“We aim to place volunteers where they are most suited and there are many volunteer opportunities across our 21 charity shops. Over at the Warehouse Store in Marsh Barton it’s a big operation sorting all the incoming donations. So if anyone reading this has an interest in antiques or collectables and could help spot them amongst the arriving stock, we’d love to hear from you.”
If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteer opportunities at Hospiscare, please call Tracey on 01392 428824 or email t.barriball@hospiscare.co.uk.
Hospiscare is a local adult hospice charity, providing free, high quality care and support to people with any type of terminal illness, and those close to them, in Exeter, Mid and East Devon. A gift to Hospiscare in your Will helps to ensure the future of the charity in Devon for generations to come.
