Charity begins in the high street Print E-mail
Written by Penny Kitchen, 2008   
Page 2 of 2

Hooked while dieting

Karin Clarke Scotton & District WI, Lincolnshsire North

"Three years ago I began a large weight loss programme and in order to remain clothed during my interim size changes I started to use charity shops. I became hooked and remain so even though I am now at my ideal weight - I reduced from a size 22 to a size 10!

"I donated all my previous clothes, shoes etc. to charity shops - in fact a van was sent to collect them! I now cannot go anywhere without having to satisfy my need to browse among the bargains: I have bought in charity shops as far away as the Orkney isles and even California. I've purchased some fantastic designer clothes and have been admired for my fashions on many occasions. I often say to friends that 'I'm dressed today for less than £5, including coat, shoes and handbag'.

"As my wardrobe is so reasonably priced, I don't feel I have to continue to wear items - I just take them back and start again. I have even found bargains for my husband, including a dinner suit and dress shirt never worn before."

'Tesco' or 'Harrods'?

Dorothy Organ, Epping Town WI, Essex

"I have worked in our local Oxfam shop every Saturday morning for about 15 years. I always work in the back room, unpacking donations, sorting and pricing - in this we tend to be divided between those with a 'Tesco attitude', and those with a 'Harrods attitude'.

I am sometimes asked to help out on the counter where my knowledge of exactly what we have and where it is tucked away can generate a lot of sales. Working in a charity, co-operating with volunteers, is a totally different way of working to a commercial retail situation."

Finding volunteers is hard

Maureen Doidge, Honiton Afternoon WI, Devon

I work a couple of days a week in the Brainwave shop in Honiton. We are a local charity with several branches in the area raising money for brain-damaged children. There are 11 charity shops in Honiton and there is a sort of snobbery at work with the big names getting the best donated clothes. But we are busy redecorating the shop now, with our well-trained WI husbands painting and putting up new shelves, and this might improve the donations we receive. Our biggest problem is finding enough volunteers to man the shop and keep it open every day.

"After we've had clothes on the rail for two or three weeks we first send them off to another branch and then after that they go to the Third World."

We're like a family

Gill Dinnis, Sutton Macclesfield and Rainow WIs, Cheshire

"I have been a charity shop volunteer for Cancer Research UK in Macclesfield for just over seven years. Originally I volunteered at one of the shops dealing with donated items etc. Then in July 2004 I also joined the team of volunteers working in the new 'Wishes' shop. This is a new concept in charity shops selling all, or nearly all, new goods - cards and gifts that are a little different. Our shop has been very successful and in 2006 we were 'Top Shop' across the whole of CRUK.
 
"I really enjoy working in both shops, helping with sorting and pricing and serving customers. I took early retirement from teaching so I was used to dealing with people. I'd always supported Cancer Research and I knew I'd be given training. You meet all sorts, people who want to talk, people who are bringing donations of money in memory of a loved one who has died of cancer. We're like a family and I've made good friends through being a volunteer."

Nothing like a dame

Daphne Knight, Boughton Monchelsea WI, West Kent

I worked in a variety of charity shops in Kent. My biggest surprise came one afternoon when a man went into the changing cubicle and reappeared as a woman! He told me he was going to be a pantomime dame in a local production and he asked my opinion about the suitability of his attire, which was topped off with long pink gloves and one of our best hats in lime green!

"I always enjoyed dressing the window to a theme, especially where the shop had a donated mannequin. I remember new swimwear came in and we found a striped canvas chair and even a child's bucket and ball for our beach theme. Disappointingly, when the dummy was stripped we discovered her body had been so knocked about we had to change the bikini for a summer dress."

Everything sold or recycled

Kit Hartog, Shoreham Beach WI, West Sussex

"Here we are, the Sunday volunteers in front of our cancer charity shop in Shoring by Sea. I'm second left in the photo. We have our regular customers who come in for a chat and to see what's new. We're a friendly crowd and have a Christmas party with all the other helpers and we get the chance of occasional training days. Our day starts with tidying and setting up before we open and then we do steaming and sorting of clothing and other items. Nothing that is contributed is waster: if it isn't suitable for resale it is packaged for recycling."

50 Ways to be a Greener Shopper by Sian Berry is published by Kyle Cathie on 100 per cent recycled paper, price £5.99.

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