A huge well done to Emmaus Preston volunteer Zuleika for winning gold at UCLan’s Volunteering and Community Leadership Awards 2023.
Zuleika built up 100 hours as an online teacher for North Korean children and by championing preloved fashion as a charity shop volunteer for Emmaus Preston’s clothing store!
Volunteer Award
She received a certificate and a trophy in a glittering awards ceremony at UCLan attended by the Emmaus Preston team, who came second in the Community Team of the Year category, with Lancashire Teaching Hospitals mums and babies charity Baby Beat winning first place.
Congratulating all of the winners and our fantastic Zuleika, our Volunteer Coordinator Lisa said: “She is a very friendly member of the team here at Emmaus Preston and gets on well with all kinds of different people. She is a star.”
What it’s like to volunteer
Zuleika has been working alongside people supported by our charity, we refer to as companions, our volunteers and other members of the Emmaus Preston team each week at Emmaus Preston Fashion, Vintage and Retro.
She performs a vital role in the sale of preloved goods, sorting clothing to go on sale, steam-cleaning items and creating exciting fashion displays. All items on sale in our charity shops raise the funds that support our work helping people build back from homelessness.
And Zuleika has been doing all this around her final year studies for her degree at UCLan.
We’re so proud
Zuleika said: “It’s a hard one to say how I feel because it’s all a bit strange getting an award for it. I didn’t expect to have been awarded for the number of hours I’ve volunteered. It feels like it’s not enough.”
We are proud to count Zuleika among our team. A huge well done from Emmaus Preston!
Are you inspired by Zuleika’s story and would like to volunteer with Emmaus Preston? We have a range of exciting roles and opportunities available. Visit Emmaus Preston’s volunteers page to find out more and for how to apply.