What sort of volunteer work do you do?

Solveig: I'm a Day Leader here which means I take responsibility for the shop on my volunteer days, order new goods, do the price reductions and stock-taking.

Jane: I sort out the clothes and goods which come in and label them ready for pricing.

How did you get started?

Solveig: A friend of mine who was involved with the local branch roped me into it. I was too shy to turn her down! I've been doing it for nearly 20 years now and do a full day on Friday.

Jane: I wanted to get back into the swing of work after being at home for a while and because it's a way of helping children. I come in every Friday morning and have been doing so for the past two years.

Are there any special skills you need to be a volunteer?

Solveig: Not really, as long as you are friendly and get on with people.

Jane: I think you may need some good organisational skills, like Solveig!

What are the best and worst things about being a volunteer?

Solveig: It brings you out of yourself because you meet customers all the time. It's given me a lot of confidence and gets me out of the house.

Jane: It's given me confidence and taught me new skills.

Solveig: We really need younger volunteers here. Although we have about 40 volunteers who take it in turns to man the shop the average age is about 70 ! Some of our volunteers are over 80 and one is 92. It would be great to have some students join in, especially on a Saturday.