Meet the team – Jane Turner
From staff member to volunteer
Wanting to give something back to support a local charity has led to a new career for a member of our team.
Jane Turner, from Whaley Bridge, now one of our eCommerce Coordinators, was keen to help Blythe House Hospice as she had seen the valuable support provided by hospices first hand.
‘I lost my mother and father-in-law to cancer, they both died at St Ann’s Hospice, and I was going to volunteer there but they had a waiting list, so I looked for somewhere locally.
‘I just wanted to help raise money for a local charity and give back to a good cause.’
Originally from Stockport Jane has lived in Whaley Bridge on and off for the last 32 years, and started volunteering, helping at some of the Blythe House events and at the Whaley Bridge store, almost 14 years ago.
‘I have always worked part-time; my focus was more being with the kids as my husband had an extremely busy job.’ says Jane who worked at Stepping Hill Hospital before then spending some time working with her husband.
The time she volunteered at the shop provided flexibility which meant she was able to fit it in around her part-time work.
‘I hadn’t worked in retail before and had always fancied it and volunteering at the shop provided a good insight into retail.
‘I really enjoyed it. You get such a mixture of people from different backgrounds you never know who you are going to work with, meeting so many new people was lovely.
‘I met people that became friends that I keep in touch with outside of the shop, even now.
‘I did go on to get a job in Fat Face in Bakewell and White Stuff in Buxton, and I think the experience from working at the shop helped me get those jobs.’
Then in 2021 Jane was offered a role as an E-commerce Coordinator for the Blythe House Hospice, based at our depot in Bridgemont.
‘I finished in the shop when I was offered this paid job, but I still like volunteering and helping at events such as the Chatworth 10k and Chatsworth Country Show.
‘When I was at the store you end up getting drawn in as you never know what is going to come in.
‘It is just like that here at the eCommerce depot as you never know what is going to be dropped off, we have had some fantastic curiosities – vintage mannequins, beautiful vintage jewellery and clothes, vintage Snoopy posters, designer clothes (Yves St Laurent), cameras (old & new) as well as various model railway items.’
These regularly include vintage or designer clothing, antique furniture, rare books, and collectibles which are sold through the charity’s online eBay store. Our online eBay store helps to raise vital funds for the hospice, supporting us in providing more free tailored care and support to people across North Derbyshire affected by life-limiting illnesses.
As part of her role Jane spends time sorting, cataloguing, researching, and photographing the different lots before putting them online. At any one time there are hundreds of lots available.
Since it was first launched in March 2009 more than 19,000 items have been sold online, helping support services Blythe House Hospice offers, such as the Hospice at Home service and the Roaming Car Service.
Jane appreciates what these services offer families across North Derbyshire. ‘They are so valuable to families.
‘I wish we had the Hospice at Home service available for my in-laws. It would have made such a difference to them.’
