Some people do it the same time every week. Others do it as and when. We’re talking about our floating volunteers: the folk who are there for us, on call, when the going gets tough or the volunteer rota looks bare. Meet Selina and Izzy Brown, mother and daughter volunteer team at Ilmington Community Shop. “I’ve never had a fixed shift,” says Selina, “I work when the shop needs me and that suits me better.” Izzy, 21, is partway through a Politics degree at Newcastle University and that’s where she’ll be as you read this post. “Volunteering for the shop has kept us busy during lockdown,” says Izzy. “I feel like I’m supporting the community. It’s an opportunity to have safe social interaction, checking up on everyone. Mum and I have done home deliveries too.” “I think the shop’s brilliant,” says mum. “It’s a life support. There are shifts vacant now as some people are shielding and volunteering is a great thing to do.” Selina has personal motives too: “I get to look at the new products that come in. Last week I bought a pack of the gorgeous florentines and ate them all!” Join our volunteers and choose how you’d like to work. And maybe you too will get to taste the new florentines…
