'I can't believe I've been here for 40 years'

VOLUNTEER GILLIAN REFLECTS ON FOUR DECADES AT CHARITY SHOP

- By LAURA CROSS

A WOMAN has been praised for dedicating 40 years to a charity shop in Anlaby.

Gillian Smith said her favourite role is making sure every customer feels welcome and valued.

Forty years ago, Gillian was passing the Scope charity shop in Anlaby, near Hull, and knowing that volunteers were vital, she went to speak to the Shop Manager. Within minutes, the Shop Manager asked what hours could she do.

Since then, Gillian has gone on to volunteer more than 8,320 hours for Scope. The charity said she’s help to handle 48,000 bags over her 40 years.

Gillian said: “I can’t believe I've been here for 40 years. It seems like yesterday that I saw the new charity shop on Hull Road.

“I knew charity shops need volunteers, although I had worked, I'd never tried volunteering. I popped in to ask about volunteering opportunities and thought it sounded very exciting, especially knowing I'd be helping to make a real difference helping the charity to support disabled people.

“Within minutes, the Shop Manager asked what hours would suit me. I instantly replied Wednesday afternoons. It happened in a blink of the eye and I’ve been on Wednesday afternoons ever since. Although, a key trait required is flexibility, so I do have the odd other day instead.

“I've always worked on the till. That means I get to speak to our wonderful customers. We always have some good laughs and chats. But sometimes people say ‘thank you for chatting’ to them. They say we're the only people they've spoken to all week.

“It makes me realise how important our role is in the community. We all go out of our way to make sure everyone is welcomed, valued and can feel safe in our shop”