During national Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June) we’re on the hunt for local people to volunteer as van drivers helping to collect and deliver second-hand furniture for our Hinckley charity shops.
Each year, Emmaus Leicestershire & Rutland ensures that more than 6,000 pieces of good quality furniture, including wardrobes, beds and three-piece suites, are saved from the rubbish tip. Volunteers help by driving vans, delivering furniture and large household items to shop customers. The van service also collects unwanted furniture from homes and businesses, which can then be sold in our Emmaus Emporium on Hinckley’s Stockwell Head and La Boutique on Castle Street.
Emmaus Leicestershire & Rutland provides a home, support and meaningful work for 16 formerly homeless individuals. Some stay for a while as they gain confidence and skills before they are ready to move on to independent living; others are in need of longer-term support and are able to stay for as long as they need to. Those supported at the community live together and help to run the Emmaus shops, which raise funds to run the charity.
Burbage resident James Harrison volunteers as a driver for Emmaus, assisted by his son Sam Bednar-Harrison (19):
“We volunteer for one day each week, driving around the area and helping to deliver and collect items for the Hinckley Emmaus shops. I work as a company director and recently decided I wanted to donate some of my time to give back to my local community and help those who aren’t so fortunate. My son is currently on his gap year before starting university, so it’s nice for us to be able to volunteer together.
We really enjoy the work and I’d definitely recommend it. Everyone at Emmaus has been extremely friendly and welcoming.
It has also been good to meet some of the formerly homeless people being supported by the charity. It is sometimes hard work but it’s a good day out too; when you sit down in the evening you feel like you’ve spent your day doing something worthwhile. Another nice thing about the role is that it can be flexible to fit around your life, so we sometimes take time off if we have other commitments like holidays. My son will be taking a break when he starts university, but can always come back during the holidays if he wants to; it all looks good on his CV too.”
If you think you might be able help by taking on this role, please call Matthew Taylor at Emmaus on 01455 637587 or email [email protected]