Charity Shopping - New to You in '22!

Brie

goldfinches said:

I'm thinking of volunteering at my favourite BHF shop as they're currently asking for volunteers so was wondering what advice people on here would give me, is there anything I should ask when they get in touch and that sort of thing.

It's a job interview so think of it in that way. 

What does the job entail?  Do I get training?  What's your process to deal with theft, emergencies?  Do you have a lone workers policy? (they should!)  How do you manage scheduling your volunteers?  What do you do with unwanted donations? (aka filthy clothing).

Add some things that make you sound a positive delight. 

"I'm a huge fan of charity shops and really strive to support them, not just for raising money for good causes but also how they are so vital enviromentally".  

"I love the wonderful variety your shop has and would really like to add to the sale appeal by doing your window displays.  Oh and did I mention I'm great at mending jewellery/sweaters/furniture?"

Wednesday2000

Cherryfudge said:

A very good haul, @Wednesday2000!

I was pleased with what I bought today, especially as York last week was extremely slim pickings.:)

Skibunny40

I volunteered with BHF a few years ago, and there really wasn't an interview. It was more like the manager telling me how the store ran and which bits I'd be interested in working in. 

mrsjaw

goldfinches said:

Brie said:

goldfinches said:

Oh I can see some intriguing equipment here and am longing to ask about your experiences with silicon pans and the rectangular spring-form pan on your top shelf. Fantastic collection as well as great stacking skills, thankyou for the photo.

Must admit my brain won't allow spring form pans....I keep expecting the cake batter to leak out!  (yes, silly) 

As for silicon pans - I've only got 2 tiddly ones bought for the express purpose of taking the extra muffin batter that won't fit in the 12 muffin tray.  They're mini loaf ones, about 4 inches long and 2 across.  They work very nicely, ungreased, but need to be on a tray before filling.  Because of the weight of the batter (banana oatmeal, very dense) they tend to bulge a bit in the midsection which of course metal pans wouldn't do.  Wash up easily but never actually look/feel clean to me.  

I don't think your brain is being silly at all. In my admittedly very small experience with spring form clips they tend to jam not entirely closed so that you can't move them either way and then the lever bends at its hinge but this may be because the only two I ever bought weren't good quality.

I'm thinking of volunteering at my favourite BHF shop as they're currently asking for volunteers so was wondering what advice people on here would give me, is there anything I should ask when they get in touch and that sort of thing.

I volunteer at our local hospice charity shop and I absolutely love it!

I have no advice to offer but you'll meet some really nice people and hopefully have great satisfaction at playing a small role in helping such a great charity.

Rosa_Damascena

Brie said:

goldfinches said:

I'm thinking of volunteering at my favourite BHF shop as they're currently asking for volunteers so was wondering what advice people on here would give me, is there anything I should ask when they get in touch and that sort of thing.

It's a job interview so think of it in that way. 

What does the job entail?  Do I get training?  What's your process to deal with theft, emergencies?  Do you have a lone workers policy? (they should!)  How do you manage scheduling your volunteers?  What do you do with unwanted donations? (aka filthy clothing).

Add some things that make you sound a positive delight. 

"I'm a huge fan of charity shops and really strive to support them, not just for raising money for good causes but also how they are so vital enviromentally".  

"I love the wonderful variety your shop has and would really like to add to the sale appeal by doing your window displays.  Oh and did I mention I'm great at mending jewellery/sweaters/furniture?"

On the rare Saturdays I can drag myself out of the house early to get to a local chazzer before its lunchtime closing, a member of staff is determined to get me volunteering there. 30% discount being one of the incentives! I do a minimum of 25 hours of free work for the NHS, often finishing after 10pm and am constantly knackered. That is enough service to society I think!

Re: springform tin - my oblong one is actually attached to a tray. My niece and I used it some time ago to make a lemon and coconut cake and it worked out very well, without any leakage into the surrounding tray. However it was a relatively "stiff" batter, not runny like a pudding / muffin mixture.

Sayschezza

Yesterday I bought a Next 100% silk scarf BN for £1 and today I bought a Pure BNWT navy cardigan 100% cashmere for £3. I took photos but unfortunately they will not upload.

Longwalker

My Best Buy to date £50 and when I took the covers off to wash, there wasnt a mark on the interiors so nothing has been spilled on it. A 2016 DFS sofa, not a mark on it 

Skibunny40

Love the cushion! Where's it from?

florianatwobob

Popped into our local hospice shop yesterday and was very excited to find a PAT tested popcorn maker for a whole £2.50! I’ve been keeping my eye out for one and this had only been out on the shelf that day. Also came hime
with the first two books in the Rivers of London series and another novel and 2 Bake Off baking books for my sister. In total I spent £5.50! 

Cherryfudge

Longwalker said:

My Best Buy to date £50 and when I took the covers off to wash, there wasnt a mark on the interiors so nothing has been spilled on it. A 2016 DFS sofa, not a mark on it 

That sofa looks like new!