I’ve volunteered at Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney since Christmas. I came to Ditchingham for a visit one day and I spoke with Anna, the Site Development Manager about Volunteering and here I am now! I help in the retail showroom and make displays out of all the lovely stock.
I used to come in and sometimes I’d find myself tidying things up around the shop. I’d think ‘oh someone’s left that there’ and I couldn’t resist I’d just be rearranging things! I had a background many years ago in retail and I’ve had all sorts of jobs, but I just enjoy volunteering.
I’ve volunteered all my life. I’ve helped out at Umbrella Housing in Norwich, which supported families in crisis, and I’ve also worked with my cousin in South Africa who was one of the longest-term survivors of HIV. After that, I was invited to join the Norwich AIDs helpline, including the Male rape helpline and I was assigned to help the African community in Norwich.
One of the big things that amazes me about Emmaus is that companions are given such an opportunity to get back on their feet. I think it’s really important that people here work for their future. They’re all so dedicated to getting on and making a better life for themselves.
On a typical day of volunteering, I go around and say good morning to everyone, and then I go down to the donations bay to see if there’s anything I can bring up to put on display. I always ask the team what they need doing but mostly I get on with tidying and making all areas of the shop look really appealing. I made a Valentine’s display with towel swans and an arrangement at the shop entrance for Easter.
Any time I have a chance to promote Emmaus, I do. If I see people on Facebook talking about giving away furniture I always say – go to Emmaus! I have a few cards and leaflets in my bag and if I’m out and about I try to talk to people about what you do.
I used to know one of the nuns who lived here in the Community of All Hallows Sister Rebecca, because she had a halfway house in Norwich that was connected to Umbrella Housing, and I knew she used to come to the convent for her quiet times. So that connected me back to Emmaus as well.
You get so much from volunteering and the time just flies. There’s so much to get involved in and there’s a real opportunity to be creative and have your own ideas. Hearing feedback from the companions is lovely. They’re always so grateful that I help with the dressing of the shop because they don’t have time when they’re moving everything around all the time, constantly getting new stock in!
You get so much appreciation here and I absolutely love it. I think if people just came and tried volunteering for a few hours and had a chat and a tour, they’d love it too.