A Lanarkshire charity shop is appealing for volunteers to help in store and continue its vital work.
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is appealing for new volunteers for its charity’s boutique store in Strathaven.
Scotland’s leading charity for chest, heart and stroke conditions, CHSS has 40 stores across the country, raising essential funds to support its work providing vital services to those who need help.
The Strathaven store is a boutique outlet, showcasing donated designer goods from high-end fashion items to coveted household goods.
At an open day in the store this Friday, July 7, potential volunteers can find out more about how they can put their time to good use helping others.
Someone who is doing just that is Charlotte Martin, 18.
She has been a retail volunteer with the charity for the last 18 months, spending an afternoon a week in the Strathaven boutique store.
And the teenager, who lives in the town, says her experience with CHSS has been invaluable.
She has just completed her final year at Strathaven Academy and is hoping to go to university to study medicine.
Charlotte told Lanarkshire Live : “I had been keen to do some charity work for a while, and CHSS appealed because obviously it’s a medical charity.
"Members of my family have also suffered a stroke, so it was close to home.
“But I also loved the store in Strathaven because it’s a bit different from other charity shops. It’s a boutique and always had some lovely things on display.
“I signed up as a volunteer and began coming in two hours a week when the shop reopened after lockdown.
"As I was in sixth year, I had a free afternoon on Thursday, so I came straight to the shop after school.”
Like all high school students, she was encouraged to sign up for voluntary work to gain real-life experience and help with university applications.
But she says her experience with CHSS has been great for her own confidence and communication skills.
Charlotte added: “Charity work like this is so good for all of us, no matter what age we are. I’d say to anyone thinking of it to give it a go and especially CHSS because they do such great work.”
Nichola Craig, shop manager at the Strathaven boutique, said: “Volunteering is a great way to meet people and learn new skills.
"We have a great friendly team in Strathaven, and we’d love to welcome some new volunteers to help us run the shop.
“We have many exciting roles, whether customer-facing or behind the scenes. Anyone who’s interested can just pop in."
The volunteer open day will take place in the Strathaven store at 64 Waterside Street, Strathaven, this Friday, July 7 from 10am.
For more information about volunteering with CHSS, email volunteering@chss.org.uk or go to the website.
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