The welcome face of the Reading Superstore

For many customers, the first person they meet at the Reading Superstore is Debbie and it’s a warm and friendly welcome that sets the tone for the whole visit.

Debbie began volunteering at the Superstore one year ago and quickly discovered how much she enjoyed the role. In September, she took on the position of Bookings Line Coordinator, running the furniture donation department from the reception desk.

After spending several years as a stay-at-home mum, Debbie found herself at a turning point as her children grew more independent. “It felt like the right time to do something for myself,” she said. Volunteering at the Reading Superstore proved to be exactly what she was looking for.”

With a strong background in administration and office support management, Debbie found volunteering to be a valuable stepping stone back into the workplace. “It gave me my confidence back,” she explained. “I came in for a taster session about a year ago and was told you could volunteer for as many or as few hours as you wanted. That flexibility was the decider for me and I started straight away.”

Now at the heart of the Superstore’s daily operations, Debbie works closely with the drivers’ team, coordinating daily schedules for collections and deliveries. She manages all furniture donations, assessing whether items are suitable for resale or upcycling before coordinating collection and delivery times. “We’re always looking for furniture in good condition including sofas, bedroom sets and tables and chairs,” she said. “As soon as items arrive on the shop floor, they sell straight away, so it’s a busy, hectic role but I love it.”

Despite her coordination responsibilities, Debbie still enjoys helping out on the shop floor whenever she can. She has a passion for visual merchandising and enjoys using her creativity to put together room sets which the customers love so much.

As the friendly face at reception, Debbie also loves chatting to customers as they arrive and answering their queries. “It’s such a lovely role,” she said. “You get to meet so many people and really feel part of something positive.”