It's been a pretty exhausting week so far. I've worked two days at the CS and have another day yet to work on Friday, because the manager is on holiday for the week. It has been pretty tiring, mainly because I had two young student volunteers from a local college working with me for both days.
It was a new experience for me to be almost completely responsible for supervising other volunteers, especially young ones. They were nice girls, but it was mentally and physically tiring trying to think about and instigate what needed doing in the shop, whilst overseeing two new volunteers. Without their help, however, the shop wouldn't have been open, so we were grateful for their efforts.
I did have help from other experienced volunteers over the couple of days I was there, but I was mainly responsible for opening/stocking up the shop and supervising/delegating work to the girls.
One thing I have felt particularly brassed off about this week, has been the amount of theft that goes on in the shop. Every week it seems like at least one quite expensive, designer item gets stolen. Usually, when the staff are distracted by a queue of customers or a full shop. It's making me more and more cynical. The perpetrators don't seem to care whether the clothes are security tagged, which some are.
I'm convinced they must have their own strong magnets at home to remove the tags without damaging the clothes. Such are the tools of the trade of a professional shop lifter. I think there's a mentality that thinks that because the shop gets given things for free, that they are entitled to take them for free.
Anyway, this aside, things seem to have gone okay so far, although there's a question mark over whether I will be able to open the shop on Friday, as there are no other volunteers available to work with me. I may be getting someone from another shop to help, but I'm not sure yet.
On a positive note, we have had a few enquiries this week from potential volunteers. It will be interesting to see whether or not they become actual volunteers in the near future. I do hope so.
Tonight, I've managed to do a few household tasks and am intending to head to bed for an early night with a good book. I've got a day at home tomorrow and I've managed to book a Zumba class at the gym at the last minute, due to a cancellation. Other than that, walking the dog and the need to empty the ironing basket and post a parcel, I can do what I please for the rest of the day. Bring it on.
Yea, for the Zumba class and cancellations.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if theft is becoming more and more prolific. I sometimes wonder if it is because of the economy.
God bless.
Yes it was a good class. I need it to unwind and switch off from everything.
DeleteI can't believe your charity doesn't arrange cover from another paid member of staff from elsewhere to cover holidays and things like that. Don't work too hard.
ReplyDeleteShoplifting will always be a problem sadly, and the tricks they use are amazing! The first shop I managed someone stole the plug-in air freshener that I'd just replaced! Still, I'd rather deal with shoplifters than some of the other things I've experienced!
I know and I don't agree with it. I have made my feelings known in a volunteer questionnaire, but I don't think anything will change anytime soon.
DeleteI know exactly how you feel ! When I was a volunteer I covered for the manager who was a friend when she had holiday. These days there is a manager & two deputy managers. You really should be a paid member of staff putting in those hours.
ReplyDeleteThe theft is upsetting - luckily we had only a bit.
I'm not bothered about being paid, as if I was they would expect even more from me than they do already, but it would be better if they didn't require me to work more hours and take on more responsibility that I really don't want.
DeleteI didn't really sign up to work 20 hour weeks. It's making me think again, but I would feel bad leaving them in the lurch if I left at the moment. If or when they get more volunteers I may try to look for a volunteer or paid opportunity closer to home, so at least I can cut out the additional 2 hours travelling for each shift.
I admire all volunteers, it is not an easy job to do and every little helps. We should all do much more to give back something to society (I very much include myself here) then there would not be so much pressure put on so few. I hope you can find a reasonable balance that you are happy with. I am shocked about the theft - it has never occurred to me that anyone would steal from a Charity shop!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's sad that people feel the need, but such is life today. I'm hoping a balance might be struck soon. I think there has been some more interest from people wanting to be volunteers since I wrote this post so I'm hoping things will improve very soon.
DeleteHello Ann, just popping back for another visit. I was saddened to read of the continual shoplifters in the store, how annoying that must be. I do hope the new volunteers work out to be okay. Your blog is a lovely place to pop by ... I thought of you today when I was gardening & there, tucked under some shrubs were some Johnnyjumpsup :-)
ReplyDeleteI do love those dainty little flowers with their pretty little faces. They remind me of my first allotment. Sadly, I don't have any in my garden or at my current allotment. They always made me smile.
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