Bath volunteer Loredana Walsh, who helps out at her local Barnardo’s store in Oldfield Park, is supporting a national campaign which is encouraging people to donate their time to good causes.
Loredana Walsh at the Oldfield Park store | Photo © Justin Guy
Loredana has been helping at the Barnardo’s store for the last three years.
The 61-year-old joined the charity soon after retirement and is now sharing her story to mark Volunteers’ Week, 1st – 8th June.
Loredana formerly worked in administration but retired in 2016 and wanted to do something useful with her free time.
She said: “I wanted to get out of the house and do something positive. I hadn’t volunteered before but I’d heard good things about my local Barnardo’s shop so I applied to join.
“I only do an hour a week but I’ll have a go at almost everything, and I particularly enjoy sorting and arranging the toys because they’re so much fun.
“Every day is different, and it can be quite busy, but we have lots of fun and I’ve made lot of new friends.”
Last year the Bath store was supported by 16 volunteers who provided a combined total of more than 1,700 hours of support.
Barnardo’s manager Karen James said: “Loredana is so friendly and reliable and she loves chatting to people. Every hour of her time is sincerely appreciated.
“Volunteers can choose from a wide variety of roles, including sorting and tagging the donations, steaming the clothes, arranging displays and serving the customers.
“It’s a great way to meet new people and learn new skills.
“Working together, we can transform the lives of some of the UK’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.”
The Barnardo’s store is open Monday-Saturday from 9.30am-5pm, and on Sundays from 10am-4pm.
