Working with Get Rid of and Donate has been a truly meaningful experience. I enjoy being part of a team that supports the community while helping to give donated items a new life. It’s rewarding to know that our efforts directly benefit people who need it most, and I look forward to continuing to make a positive impact as the organisation grows and supports even more people in the future.

I started volunteering at Get Rid of and Donate because I wanted to give some of my time to a good cause, and it has turned out to be such a positive experience. The shop has a really welcoming atmosphere, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the team and the members who come in. 

Throughout my time here, I’ve had the chance to take on a variety of tasks during each shift, which has helped me develop my ability to multitask and stay organised. I also believe I’ve grown a lot in how to interact with people. I’ve learned to manage situations with patience and understanding, whether that’s supporting someone who may be difficult or engaging with customers who have additional needs. These experiences have improved my people skills and taught me the importance of showing genuine interest in members of the community. It’s rewarding to see how much it means to members when we remember them, take the time to listen and make them feel valued. 

I volunteered at ShoptoDonate initially to integrate into the community and have a role, even if just a small one, in contributing to building the country that welcomed me and my family after we suffered from war in my country and lost my father because of that war. However, I found that this organisation has noble goals, which is to help refugees, the homeless, and people with limited income. It sells them food, clothes, and many other things at symbolic prices, in addition to providing them with free goods. I learned from my manager, Andrea, that they also provide assistance to refugees living in hotels. At first, I wanted to volunteer only for the vacation period, but after working with them, I found all the team members organised and nice, and it was an honour to work with them all. Sometimes the work is hard, but when we feel that we have contributed to helping people, even in a small way, we feel happy and forget the fatigue. Now, after this wonderful experience, I want to continue working with them. I have learned new things and I am still learning every day. This place has taught me that goodness still exists and that we can fight high prices.  In my country, we call this method social solidarity, which is everyone’s participation in helping others in need. Therefore, every person can play a role in this wonderful place by making donations that help other people.