The more the merrier! Volunteering at the Seaton Hospiscare shop
Local charity Hospiscare has over 20 shops in Devon and relies heavily on the generosity of volunteers to run the stores. In the Seaton shop they have a core group of volunteers but could do with at least five more.
June Shaw, 61 from Seaton, volunteers at the shop and has done for the last three years. June commented: “Shortly after my husband died four and a half years ago, I decided to give up work. When someone close to you dies it brings it home to you that there is more to life than work, but I still wanted to have something to do. A friend of mine already volunteered at the shop so I just came along with her. Now I volunteer twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. It’s a lovely crowd to work with - a happy place to be. I serve a lot on the front desk and really enjoy meeting the customers.
“Volunteering has also led onto other things. I have signed up for Hospiscare’s Icelandic Trek next year, so I’m currently fundraising too. I’m hosting a charity fashion show on the 23rd November at the Gateway Town Hall in Seaton from 7pm-7.30pm, and selling high street goods which are being supplied by Travelling Trends at drastically reduced prices. Everyone is welcome, so pop into the shop and buy a ticket for £6!
“I don’t know what Seaton would do without Hospiscare nurses, so I really love being able to help by volunteering and fundraising.”
Seaton Shop Manager Louisa Dayman commented: “I couldn’t do my job without the volunteers, they are fabulous but I could really do with some more! We are like a little family in the shop, we know each other so well and support each other through life’s up and downs. Both June and I have had relatives cared for by Hospiscare so we have a personal connection to the service. I hope anyone reading this who is thinking about volunteering will come in for a chat, it’s always a flexible arrangement and our volunteers do as much or as little as they have time for. We’d love to recruit some local people, the more the merrier!”
If you’re interested in finding out more about shop volunteer opportunities at the Hospiscare Seaton Shop, please call Louisa on 01297 22457 or email volunteering@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.
