Bookworms have the chance to combine their love of literature with helping a leading children’s charity. East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is on the lookout for volunteers to help support its fast-growing online Book Shop. The busy store has become a vital income stream and helps the charity continue its work supporting families and caring for children and young people with life-threatening conditions. EACH Book Shop Deputy Manager Sue Nettleingham said: “This is a role anyone who loves reading will thoroughly enjoy. “We sell all genres, both fiction and non-fiction, and it’s fascinating what gets donated. “They range from classics and children’s favourites to others that are rare and niche. “There’s so much variety and, alongside the books, we’re now introducing mixed media in the form of CDs, DVDs and Console games. “It’s great fun and we’d love to hear from anyone willing to get involved, even just for a morning or afternoon a week. “As well as being fun, volunteering is also hugely rewarding and this is an opportunity to help our wonderful charity. “Selling books and media is a key income stream and the money we generate makes such a difference. “However, we can only do it with the help and support of volunteers and the community.” The Book Shop is run from EACH’s Retail Distribution Centre (RDC), in Brunel Way, Thetford. Volunteers would be asked to unpack and organise boxes of donated books, including sorting them and checking their suggested price online. Profitable books are then listed for sale and sent to customers. Others might be sold in the charity’s many book rooms and even those worth little can be pulped and generate recycling income – at the same time saving them being sent to landfill. In an average week, EACH sells around 170 books, with an average selling price of just over £8. The scheme usually generates more than £1,000 a week and, typically, there are around 2500 books on the EACH account. “I’m in desperate need of extra volunteers and poster campaigns have drawn a blank,” added Sue. “Two of my three regulars are leaving for full-time work and I’d be delighted to hear from anyone willing to join me and get involved. “It would be ideal for anyone of any age, including students fresh out of school or university. “It’s a chance to pick up new skills, make friends and get a taste for doing something completely different. Others have described it as a brilliant experience.” To find out more about volunteering, contact Sue via [email protected] or contact her at RDC on 01842 821620. Meanwhile, more volunteers are needed to help in the main warehouse at RDC with the sorting and storing of donated goods. The team sort and process all donations and then distribute them to EACH’s 47 shops across East Anglia. One of the roles includes being a ‘driver’s mate’, with duties including loading and unloading vans. To find out more about volunteering opportunities at RDC, email Warehouse Operations and Supply Chain Manager Stephen Ball via [email protected] Image provided by EACH
