Following the success of our own ‘meet the volunteers‘ campaign, of which the latest release can be viewed here, we have decided to extend our interviews to different Save the Children shops, starting off with a local: the Dalry shop in Edinburgh.
Some interviews may have been edited for length and clarity. Many thanks to Val for conducting these interviews!
Name: Lauren
Age: 25
Shift: Various
Adjective to describe yourself: Fun-loving
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: Look after my four year old son
How long have you been volunteering here for?: 6 months
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: To meet new people
What do you like to do most in the shop?: Being on the shop floor
Word to describe your volunteering experience here: Enlightening
Name: Lily
Shift: 3 days a week
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: I stay at my home
How long have you been volunteering here for?: 30 years!
Word to describe your volunteering experience here: (Very) good
Name: Edward
Age: 59
Shift: Tuesday Morning, Friday afternoon
Adjective to describe yourself: Helpful
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: Act as a carer, walk dogs
How long have you been volunteering here for?: 4 years
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: A friend of mine asked me to help
What do you like to do most in the shop?: The people
Word to describe your volunteering experience here: Fun
Name: Dave S.
Age: 48
Shift: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday
Adjective to describe yourself: Imposing
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: Garden
How long have you been volunteering here for?: 3 years
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: Because Lily works here
What do you like to do most in the shop?: Everything
Word to describe your volunteering experience here: Amazing
Name: Dave H.
Age: 70
Shift: Wednesday morning
Adjective to describe yourself: Fat!
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: Walk, read, birdwatch
How long have you been volunteering here for?: Over two years
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: To do something useful
What do you like to do most in the shop?: Pricing, sorting, steaming
Word to describe your volunteering experience here: Enjoyable
Name: Carina
Age: 25
Shift: Mornings
Adjective to describe yourself: Energetic/Outgoing
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: Work
How long have you been volunteering here for?: Four months
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: Because I liked the people!
What do you like to do most in the shop?: Culling, sorting out clothes, steaming
Word to describe your volunteering experience here: Fulfilling
Name: Indhu
Age: 24
Shift: Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: Badminton, hanging out with friends, swimming, going to the gym
How long have you been volunteering here for?: 2 months
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: For work experience and to improve my communication skills
What do you like to do most in the shop?: Decorating window and working with the team
Word to describe your volunteering experience here: Wonderful/Fresh
Name: Sheethal
Age: 26
Shift: Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: Swimming and badminton
How long have you been volunteering here for?: 2 months
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: To gain new work experience and improve my communication skills
What do you like to do most in the shop?: Working in the team (I enjoy everything!)
Word to describe your volunteering experience here: Awesome
Sheethal in red and blue dress
Name: Boursfiud
Age: 21
Shift: Wednesday to Thursday
Adjective to describe yourself: Smiley
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: I am a French student
How long have you been volunteering here for?: One month
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: Work placement
What do you like to do most in the shop?: To connect with people
Word to describe your volunteering experience here: Wondrous
Name: Clotilde
Age: 23
Shift: Monday to Friday
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: I am a student in France
How long have you been volunteering here for?: 2 months
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: This is my internship – I want to see how a store is organised, and improve my English
What do you like to do most in the shop?: Checkout (work on the till)
Name: Sona
Age: 20
Shift: Varies
Adjective to describe yourself: Sociable
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: I work at Tesco
How long have you been volunteering here for?: 1 year and 2 months
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: My friend was volunteering here
What do you like to do most in the shop?: Checkout (working on the till)
Word to describe your volunteering experience here: Happy
Name: Harsora
Age: 29
Shift: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: Nothing
How long have you been volunteering here for?: 20 days
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: Work experience
What do you like to do most in the shop?: Culling
Name: Barbara
Age: 37
Shift: Monday and Wednesday afternoons
Adjective to describe yourself: Curious
What do you do when you are not volunteering?: Looking after my daughter
How long have you been volunteering here for?: 6 months
Why did you decide to volunteer here?: To gain experience
What do you like to do most in the shop?: Arranging clothes
Word to describe your volunteering experience here: Enjoyable
Mary's Living & Giving Shop, Stockbridge 