Denise Hamer – Bakewell hospice shop volunteer

‘I can’t tell you how much fun I have – I just love it.’

Denise Hamer is one of many wonderful volunteers who donate their time to support one of the six Blythe House Hospice shops the charity operates across North Derbyshire. ‘I had come back from working overseas when I walked past the shop here in Bakewell when Marie was setting it up,’ explained Denise.

Marie Brown is the senior retail manager for the hospice shops, that each year raise vital funds to support the services provided by Blythe House Hospice including Hospice at Home and the Roaming Car Service. Denise, a music teacher and music therapist, said: ‘I was looking for what to do next, and knew I wanted to include some volunteer work to help a good cause, and I couldn’t think of a better one than supporting the hospice.’

‘I knew of the charity as I had lived in the area for 14 years, but as I spent a lot of my time working away, I was not able to commit to anything locally. But here was Marie setting up the shop. So, it ended up that I pretty much started as soon as the shop opened. I can’t tell you how much fun I have – I just love it.’

As well as working on the shop floor, Denise also spends some time going through the new items that are generously donated from the local community. ‘I have learnt so much more about the different styles of clothes and shoes, we get such a wide range of sizes and styles of items donated to us, there is something for everyone.’

The flexibility of being able to volunteer for an afternoon or morning a week appealed to Denise, 67, who lives in nearby Over Haddon with her husband. After spending many years living in Africa, and later teaching at international schools including in China and Saudi Arabia, Denise was returning permanently to the UK.

‘When I came back from working abroad, I was actually a bit nervous, and wondering how I would make any more friends, as everybody is in their own friendship groups, how ridiculous was that. I have met so many people through here and made so many fabulous new friends.’

Denise who still teaches piano and singing, is able to fit in her volunteering around her students individual lessons.
‘It has given a routine to my week which is always very valuable.’ She enjoys chatting with the customers who flock to the store located on Matlock Street in the heart of Bakewell which opened in April 2021. ‘Being here from the start is has been great to see the shop develop. We are such a welcoming team and like to encourage new people to join us.’