Trish's story

Trish, a retired Customs and Excise Manager, volunteers twice a week at our Sandhurst store, including a Saturday morning shift.

Trish shares, “I love coming in on Saturdays because it sort of breaks the weekend up for me. I do have lots to keep me busy, but volunteering at the weekend means I get to meet not only different customers, but different colleagues as well.”

Trish adds, “I value the social side of volunteering. I work alongside such lovely people, and we’ve all become great friends and socialise together.”

Volunteering has also helped Trish stay connected. “I know many people who have received care at the Hospice, and that has really resonated with me,” she explains. “It was also the initial reason why I chose to volunteer for the Hospice.”

Her role varies from sorting donations, helping on the till, and promoting Gift Aid. “I enjoy sorting, chatting to customers, and aim to register them for Gift Aid. And if they’re not signed up, I usually manage to talk them into it. The gift of the gab helps!”

Although retired, Trish still enjoys staying active. “It’s meeting different and new people. It’s just doing something different,” she says.

At the end of each shift, the feeling is always the same: “I just feel I’ve done a good job. I feel satisfied. I’ve done my bit for my community.”