Linda Melland’s volunteer story
at our Whaley Bridge store
‘It has given me confidence and going in to volunteer at the store is one of the highlights of my week’
Linda Melland, from Fernilee, is one of the lovely volunteers on the team who regularly gives their time at our Whaley Bridge store.
A regular visitor to check out the new stock arriving in store little did Linda realise that she would one day be part of the team.
‘Me and my friend Margaret used to come into the shop on a Tuesday afternoon to do some shopping and have a look around the new stock, and then we would go and enjoy a coffee.
‘Margaret started volunteering at the store first and they needed someone to help upstairs.’
The hospice shop in Whaley Bridge is by far the largest, so much so that it spans two floors and has various departments featuring a dedicated children’s section offering toys, books, and clothes and a large women’s clothing section.
‘I didn’t volunteer straight away but came in regularly to see Margaret and Marie Brown, who was the store manager at the time, Marie asked me why I didn’t come and help, so then she helped to get me signed up.’
Now 12 years later, Linda, still plays a vital role volunteering in the store for one morning and two afternoons a week.
‘I love volunteering in the shop. I work mostly upstairs in ladies’ clothes, but I will help out downstairs whenever needed. – It doesn’t really matter to me as both are enjoyable.’
When not manning the till on the first floor, in the ladies’ clothes department or taking sales downstairs Linda lends a hand wherever it is needed from sorting through donations to putting new items out for sale.
After leaving school Linda worked in an office and after starting her family worked jobs that fitted around caring for her children.
Later she helped her daughter who worked as a child minder. ‘I would help her with that,’ explained Linda, ‘I used to do that for quite a while.’
She says volunteering has helped her in lots of ways, giving her confidence and new skills. ‘I would definitely recommend volunteering to anyone who is interested in getting involved.
‘I used to be quite a shy type of person and I didn’t particularly make good conversation or mix well. Since being here, I have gradually over time got used to talking to all sorts of people. I now feel like I can talk with anybody.
‘If I didn’t volunteer, I can’t imagine what I would have been doing with my time. I come in Wednesday mornings, Friday afternoons and Saturday afternoons.
‘It is one of the highlights of the week.’
