Charity shop's "help" plea

CHARITY St Barnabas House has appealed for more volunteers to help at its Southwick shop.

Three people recently left '“ two moved out of the area and one retired at the age of 93 '“ and it now faces a lack of crucial helpers.

Staff at the Southwick Square shop unanimously said they would recommend volunteering to others.

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Marji Smale, 61, of Downsway, Southwick, said: "I love it. My grandson can't get over the fact I am working for nothing. It is rewarding, especially when you get customers who come in and are upset, and they just want to stand and talk."

Ann Wilkinson, 63, of Burrell Avenue, Lancing, started working at the shop almost four years ago. She explained as well as helping St Barnabas, she was helping herself.

"My husband died at the hospice, so it is my way of saying thank you to them," she said. "It is a great thing to do. You meet a nice crowd of people. When you are on your own, it gets you out of the house."

Jenny Byrne, 65, of Prince Charles Close, Southwick, has worked at the shop for more than two years, and added how volunteering was a great way to meet people.

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She said: "I had retired and felt I wanted to do something useful for someone, other than myself or my family. Mostly I am on the till or doing any sorting out '“ anything that needs doing.

"After I retired, I didn't come straight here. I found I was losing a bit of my confidence. I have met some lovely people and have made lots of friends. I would definitely recommend it."

Brenda Tagg, 78, of The Crescent, Southwick, has been volunteering at the shop for six years. She said: "Somebody asked me to volunteer and I have been here ever since. You meet new people and people you work with are nice.

"I have met a lot of nice people and it gives me a different outlook on life.

"We could really do with more volunteers."

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Manager Betty Suarez said it can be difficult to find staff for the charity shop, but people shouldn't be intimidated by the thought of working on tills, for example, as there are many different tasks needing to be done.

"There is no responsibility for pricing things or anything like that, that's down to me. We are desperate. Anyone out there who can help, just please get in touch," she added.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the shop, or who would like to find out more, should visit the Southwick Square shop, or call 01273 597926.

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