Mary’s volunteering story

Mary started helping out at Willow’s charity shop in Letchworth in 2023, following several years at another local charity shop. This is her volunteering story.

“Volunteering at Willow suits me perfectly. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it.”

“Everyone at Willow is lovely. The managers, Heidi and Sue, as well as the other volunteers, make it such a welcoming place to be. There’s always a nice atmosphere with music and the kettle is always on. You need to have a nice environment otherwise you’ll be miserable.

I volunteer because I’m retired and I would be sitting in my flat all day otherwise. I need to be out doing something with my days, even if only for a few hours two or three times a week. It’s good to get out and to chat with everybody.

I get the bus down from outside my flat, come in, sort stock donations – steaming, tagging and hanging all of the garments before they can go out on the shop floor, and go home. I can just switch off and get on with it but I’m always on hand if the team needs someone else to come in. Volunteering at Willow suits me perfectly. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it.”

Thinking of giving your time to help out at Willow? Visit our webpage for more on volunteering opportunities.