Meet our charity shop volunteers

Carol used to work with special needs students so chose to volunteer for Helen & Douglas House.

Carol said ‘I have made some amazing friendships and met some lovely customers. It was wonderful to be given the opportunity to go and visit the hospice and understand what Helen & Douglas House is all about. It made me realise what these families have to cope with and how crucial the respite care is for these local families. It is such an amazing charity to volunteer for. It is friendly and an opportunity to give something back to society. It is great to know you are making an impact on young peoples’ lives.’

Isobel lives in Siddington and goes to Stroud High School. Isobel has been volunteering at Helen & Douglas House charity shop since January as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award.

Isobel said ‘I got involved with Helen & Douglas House because my Mum shops at this charity shop in Cirencester so I chose to do my volunteering part of the Duke of Edinburgh award here. I work on the till, hoover and help out around the shop. I have met new people, learnt new skills including using a till as well as people skills and it is very rewarding.’

Davina who has been volunteering at the Helen & Douglas House charity shop for three years said:

‘I like helping at the shop, meeting new people and working with clothes and books. I have made many new friends through volunteering and it has got me out of the house. I have also learned new skills to be able to work in a shop.’

Faye, Manager of the Helen & Douglas House charity shop in Cirencester said ‘We are so grateful to all our wonderful volunteers for donating their time which is so valuable to us. All our volunteers help raise money through selling things in our shop which makes a huge difference to the lives of local families with terminally ill children. I would like to say a massive thank you to all our volunteers for everything they do to help us – I could not run my shop without their invaluable help.’