Worthing charity shop manager makes final big change – retiring 'for good'

Jo Loader, 70, from Findon Valley, has handed over the keys to the Worthing Samaritans charity shop after 12 years, first as a volunteer and most recently as manager.

Her retirement will give her more time with her grandchildren, as well as her hobbies of working on her garden, reading books and doing jigsaws.

Having previously retired from teaching at Steyning Grammar School, Jo says she will 'actually retire' this time and is looking forward to fun times with her five grandchildren – with a sixth on the way.

Jo taught at Steyning for 33 years and met her husband, John, there when he was head of boarding. Her involvement with Samaritans began as a listening volunteer but she had to give this up when her husband became ill.

Jo transferred her support to the shop, in Strand Parade, 12 years ago and eventually took over as manager. Jo has seen and introduced many changes, and shop regulars will miss her familiar face.

She said: "We moved from the old, traditional-type charity shop, spending some money updating and modernising. We developed a men’s department, which was a departure then, and we started to attract many more young customers.

“Nowadays, we have a core of regulars, from young mums onwards, and have been so well-supported by the local community – many of whom say they neither visit nor donate to other charity shops. We are very lucky to be constantly receiving donations.”

Jo met Princess Alexandra when she visited the charity's centre in Lennox Road, Worthing, in 2019 to celebrate the branch’s 50th anniversary and presented her with a bouquet. She and other volunteers were delighted Princess Alexandra took time to speak to each of them individually.

There are now 23 volunteers who help keep the doors open at the charity shop six days a week and Jo is proud to report that income from the shop topped £30,000 last year.

Jo added: "I will miss the shop’s very loyal customers, the wonderful sense of community the shop enjoys, the staff and all the volunteers.”