Volunteers are the heart of everything we do at Make It Happen, and this month we are celebrating one of the team who's been with us for 5 years now! He says it keeps him 'young and vibrant' and he's one of the friendliest faces you'll ever come across when you come into our Community Shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays! He's very kindly shared some of his story from the past 5 years....
" I Started at MIH in Feb 2020, then only the following month, we went into lock-down!
This was the first of 3 lock-downs in the U. K, but we at Make It Happen managed to stay open. This proved to be invaluable to the local community in getting essentials including clothing and food, and probably just as important, having contact with others. (Despite Face masks having to be worn!).
I worked mainly at this time in what is now the Vibrant Village Livingroom (34 Argyle Street), which was then the area where we sorted out clothes and quarantined them for a period etc.
I helped out other charities, by passing on clothes to them, such as stranded sailors in Liverpool.
I also took items to charity shops in Grange Road, when they re-opened, as they were desperate for stock.
During the last 3 years, I've worked in the shop, with literally hundreds of team members including volunteers. Some have used it as a stepping stone in their career or just as experience to fill their own personal needs and be a friend to others.
It's been a pleasure working with them, and serving the many customers who call in. This is either to do their weekly shop at discounted prices, trawl through the clothes, but more importantly for those that come in simply to chat.
Only last week, a regular of ours, said she always felt good after leaving the shop, something that no Doctor could ever prescribe and better than therapy and cheaper besides.
This is what makes it all worthwhile for the community and for me it gives me great satisfaction to do something I enjoy rather than progressing a career that I needed to sustain my finances. I give up the days I can in-between my busy social life playing football, cycling, socialising and thoroughly enjoy the routine, but also the fact that no day is ever the same.
That, and the delicious out of date food I take home with me!
So, here's to the next 5 years! "
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