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Karen’s volunteering story

Our lovely volunteer Karen helps out at our Hertford shop. Here she’s shared her experience of volunteering at Willow.

Two women volunteering at a Willow shop

It’s a lovely community to be a part of. It not only benefits others, but also contributes to your own wellbeing.

“I’ve lived in the area for around 30 years and I love shopping at charity shops. I liked Willow because it’s different, the items are high quality and the layout of the shops are lovely. At first, when Willow opened, I didn’t know what the charity was about, but then I got chatting to the shop manager Deena, who talked about Bob and Megs Wilson and the cause. It was just the thought that what they went through could happen to anyone. When I lost my husband I felt lost and it was the first time I ever lived alone, so working at Willow has become a special place for me.  

I had my own business, so working at Willow gives me a reason to get up in the mornings, and it gives me a sense of achievement. I love customer service and meeting to all the customers. A lady recently brought in some shirts that belonged to her late husband. She had travelled all the way from Hoddesdon as she heard about how nice the shop is and how nice the people are, so its more than a shop, it’s a community. If people are in need of a chat, we’re always here to talk to them.  

To anyone thinking of volunteering, i would say come in and try it, because if you don’t try you’ll never know the benefits! It’s very rewarding, motivational and social. You’ll meet people that you may not come across every day. It’s a lovely community to be a part of. It not only benefits others, but also contributes to your own wellbeing. You never know what someone is going through, and by having a chat and offering your time, you can make a meaningful difference that extends beyond the shop walls. 

Volunteering is a very personal thing for everyone as we all volunteer for different reasons. For me, it’s to give me sociability and feel worthy. It’s not only for me but also for others. 

Without the support of our volunteers, it would not have been possible to fulfil our mission and make an impact. To find out more about volunteering opportunities and how you can support Willow, click here.