British Heart Foundation shop in Exeter urgently needs volunteers
The British Heart Foundation shop in Exeter is urgently appealing for volunteers this New Year, as it gets back up and running, following the pandemic.
This January, the shop is encouraging the public to give the gift of time and get involved – whether that’s working the till, sorting donations or welcoming customers. The BHF has plenty of exciting volunteering roles available for those looking to support their local community, improve their wellbeing and widen their social network while supporting a good cause.
The charity’s 712 nationwide shops are bouncing back following several closures during the pandemic but sadly many shops have seen volunteer numbers plummet. Some may even be forced to reduce opening hours if volunteer recruitment remains low. This in turn, could reduce funds that can be turned into life-saving heart research.
“Volunteers are our life-blood,” says Retail Volunteering Operations Manager Sarah Boardman. “We simply cannot operate our shops and stores without their generous support.
“Currently, our volunteering hours are down 20 percent compared to pre-Covid and we have on average 2,500 fewer volunteers each week supporting our shops and stores. In 2022, we’d love to see people looking for a new hobby or a way to support the community, donate to us the gift of time and give whatever time they can.”
“You can commit just a few hours each week or a few days,” says Sarah. “Volunteering at the BHF is a great opportunity to meet new people, boost your confidence, gain retail experience and help us give unwanted items a new lease of life. Every hour given will help us raise funds to support those living with heart and circulatory diseases.”
Volunteers can get involved in tasks such as telephone and logistical administration, operating tills, merchandising on the shop floor and answering customer queries. The charity also offers online roles for those keen on honing their tech skills, by helping to research, photograph and list items for BHF’s online shops.
Behind the scenes volunteers can take on warehouse assistant or specialist roles such as furniture assembly or processing Gift Aid donations which can provide transferrable skills that are perfect for future job applications. There are also opportunities to become volunteer stock collection drivers, stock generators and volunteer recruiters who get out in the local area. There really is something for everyone!
For more than 60 years, the public’s generosity has funded BHF research that has turned ideas that once seemed like 'science fiction' into treatments that save lives every day. But millions of people are still waiting for the next breakthrough. Today in Devon 170,000 people are living with heart and circulatory diseases.
We urgently need the public’s support to keep our life saving research going, and to discover the treatments and cures of the future.
For more information on how to get involved head to bhf.org.uk/signmeup or find your local shop at bhf.org.uk/shop
