From volunteer to Coffee Shop Supervisor: Meet Rebecca

Rebecca first joined the Reading Superstore as a volunteer over a year ago. Since then, her passion for the Superstore, its customers and the Hospice has grown, and she has now taken the next step in her journey, joining the team as a member of staff and becoming Coffee Shop Supervisor.

“I started out as a volunteer, and I absolutely loved being part of the team,” says Rebecca. “It felt wonderful to be able to give something back, so when the opportunity came to join the staff, it felt like a natural next step.”

Today, Rebecca is at the heart of the Café, where she enjoys the variety that each day brings. While there are plenty of familiar faces among the regular customers, no two days are quite the same.

“I love working in the Café. It’s always busy, but it’s a really relaxed environment and I don’t find it stressful at all. The team are incredibly good at what they do, and everyone works so well together.”

The customers are a big part of what makes the role so enjoyable. Rebecca particularly likes the friendly atmosphere and doing what she can to accommodate customers’ individual requests, even when they are not quite on the menu!

For Rebecca, the Café is much more than somewhere to grab a coffee. It is at the heart of the Reading Superstore, providing a welcoming place for customers to pause after browsing the many departments.

“It’s lovely seeing people come back to the Café. They’ll have a look around the Superstore, find something they love, and then come in for a coffee and a little something to eat before they head off with their purchases.”

And there is plenty for customers to discover. Rebecca describes the Superstore as a “mini Ikea”, with its airy layout, separate departments and beautifully presented displays.

“It really doesn’t feel like a traditional charity shop. Everything is so beautifully presented, and the room sets are fantastic. You can actually picture things in your own home. We’re also incredibly lucky with the quality of the donations we receive.”

Having experienced the Superstore first as a volunteer and now as a member of staff, Rebecca has a real appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes.

“There is a huge amount of work involved in running the Superstore, but we have an amazingly friendly team of staff and volunteers. It’s a brilliant place to work, and everyone brings something different to the team.”

Rebecca’s commitment to the Hospice doesn’t stop when she finishes work. She has also taken part in the Sunflower Walk for the past two years, stepping up her challenge this year by taking on the half marathon.

“I love the Sunflower Walk because it’s a wonderful way to raise awareness of the Hospice. The atmosphere is fantastic and knowing that every pound raised supports such an important cause makes it special.”

From volunteering her time to becoming part of the permanent staff team, Rebecca’s journey is a wonderful example of how volunteering can open doors to new opportunities while making a real difference.

“I’m so pleased I started as a volunteer. It gave me the chance to get to know the Superstore, the team and the customers, and now I’m really proud to be part of this amazing organisation.”