NEWTON Abbot’s Age UK charity shop its appealing for help as it needs more volunteers.
The charity is calling on the community to sign up and support its work with old people ahead of Volunteer Week, running from June 2 to 8, which celebrates people who give up their time to volunteer.
There are numerous benefits to volunteering for Age UK, as well as helping the charity support older people and making a difference to the local community, volunteers can also make new friends, discover new interests and develop new skills.
Volunteering in an Age UK shop also has physical benefits too and can help people stay active.
New research from Age UK found that 47 per cent of adults say that they feel they don’t do enough or don’t do any physical activity.
Becoming a shop volunteer for the Age UK shop in Queen Street, Newton Abbot includes helping with a range of activities both behind the scenes and on the shop floor, including serving customers, creating displays, managing stock donations and assisting with shop administration.
A spokesman said: ‘We’re urgently looking for new people to join our team of volunteers.
‘The Age UK shop in Newton Abbot offers flexible hours, providing volunteers with shorter volunteering time slots in order to fit around busy lives.
‘So if you think you could help, please get in touch – even small amounts of time can make a big difference.’
Age UK shops offer a wider range of pre-loved items, which are sold on to be loved again helping raise much-needed funds for the charity’s work with older people, whilst encouraging everyone to recycle unwanted items including clothing and accessories, gifts, toys, household items and shoes.
Money raised from the shops goes towards Age UK’s vital services, including its Telephone Friendship Service, free and confidential Advice Line and The Silver Line Helpline.
The shop is also asking people to donate any unwanted, quality, spring and summer clothing.
Shopping and donating to Age UK charity shops is not only a great way of supporting older people but also recycling unwanted items and reducing waste.
To find more volunteering for Age UK’s charity shops visit: Charity Shop Volunteering | Age UK