I have been at Emmaus Leeds since September 2025. My career has been varied; I used to work in fast moving consumer good and managed teams. I then decided to do another degree in Fine Art and for the last 20 years I’ve worked freelance teaching art and running community projects which I absolutely loved. Alongside that I ran antiques and salvage businesses which were successful – I even ended up on TV with it!
In 2019, I got ill with cancer and had to give it all up because I wasn’t well enough to work. I then struggled for a few years with various things. I started volunteering at Emmaus Leeds to get back into it. I saw the job for Retail Manager advertised and it suited my skills. I have to say I absolutely love it; it was a good career choice.
Experience of working at Emmaus
No two days are the same at Emmaus. The companions have their own challenges in life but it’s incredibly rewarding seeing them make progress and build skills.
My day-to-day role is crackers! It’s exhausting but in a good way. I love what I do and passionate about the companions succeeding. If the companions and shop do well, then I am doing a good job. I end up with pockets full of post it notes with messages on what customers need, delivery notices, new ideas and I love it!
Looking after our community, people who may have been in similar positions as our companions, and giving them things they need, is great. It’s a really good community driven team spirit here and seeing companions adapt to that is brilliant.
Impact in the role
The biggest thing I changed when I came in was to stop double handling items. We are now trying to get items off the van, sorted and in the shop as soon as possible. So, we are trying to speed up and simplify the process.
The second focus was changes to the shop, to make it quirkier. With creative signage and dedicated areas on the shop for books, clothes, beds etc. I want to make sure there is a variety of stuff out there for people to purchase.
The future of Emmaus Leeds
For me, the future of Emmaus Leeds is to be known as the charity superstore that has a good choice of stuff, that the companions maintain and run. It is a place that our companions are proud and passionate about. There are lots of ideas bubbling on what we can do next and how to expand!