A leading children’s hospice has launched a campaign to recruit new shop volunteers – stressing that those who spare some time have an “absolutely crucial” role to play. The East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) Be the Difference campaign is underway with the aim of recruiting extra help in its 44 shops. The organisation, which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions, relies on voluntary donations for the majority of its income. This year alone it needs to raise £6.5 million from its retail operation, which includes stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex and a busy Retail Distribution Centre, in Thetford. EACH’s Be the Difference campaign will include publicising case studies, encouraging people to sign up and get involved. EACH Head of Retail Central Operations Sarah Throssell said: “Volunteers are absolutely crucial to an organisation like ours and we always need more help. “The retail model only works because of them and, without these wonderful people, the figures just wouldn’t add up. “We’d be very pleased to hear from anyone interested in joining our team and, while we’d obviously love people to give up a day or two a month, the aim of this campaign is to emphasise that just a morning, afternoon or even an hour makes the world of difference. “As our figures show, it directly helps the children, young people and families we care for and support. “We have shops across the region, in the heart of their respective communities, and there are a range of roles available, from serving customers to sorting and organising donations and listing eBay items. “The hours people donate are entirely flexible, to fit in with their busy lives, and a friendly welcome is absolutely guaranteed.” On average, EACH’s shops take £100,000 per week which, split between the 44 premises and based on six eight-hour days, equates to just under £50 per hour. Per day, those figures translate to just under £400. To give some context, an hour of income would pay a nurse, counsellor, physiotherapist or an art, music or occupational therapist for two hours. It would pay a play specialist for three hours, helping families make precious memories, or a care assistant for four, giving families a much-needed rest. For more information, speak to a member of staff in-store or contact volunteer services on 01223 205183. Alternatively, email [email protected] EACH currently has 1,090 retail volunteers across the region and three hospices – The Nook, in Framingham Earl, near Norwich, The Treehouse, in Ipswich, and at Milton, near Cambridge. Image credits EACH
