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At GROAD (Get Rid of and Donate), every story is a reflection of community, kindness, and hope. Our volunteers, partners, and community shop have touched countless lives, offering essentials, support, and dignity. Here’s what some of our beneficiaries have to say:
Real Voices from Our Community
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.
Sumayya Jackson
GROAD Staff
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.
This work feels very personal to me as someone who has also been helped by organisations such as GROAD as a kid living in Brazil. That experience showed me first hand how important these services can be, and it’s one of the reasons I feel so strongly about contributing my time here.
Geovanna Prandegelo
Shop Staff
My name is Lilian, and I joined Get Rid of and Donate CIC (GROAD) in 2024. At the time, I was out of work and searching for an opportunity to rebuild my confidence and contribute meaningfully. An email from my daughter’s school about volunteering caught my attention, and after speaking with Andrea, the Founder of GROAD, I was welcomed into the team at the community shop in LJ Works.
I began by helping with the food table, ensuring it was refilled every hour so families always had access to fresh supplies. Although it seemed like a small role, I quickly saw how vital it was. Every item placed on that table represented relief and support for a family in need. From there, I learned how the shop worked, helping with donations, sorting items, and supporting members in finding essentials such as clothes, books, toys, and household goods.
Over time, I was encouraged to take on more responsibility, moving into an administrative role behind the scenes. This has given me the chance to learn new skills, grow in confidence, and play a bigger part in supporting the organisation’s mission.
Being part of GROAD has been humbling and inspiring. I’ve witnessed families thrive through access to food, clothing, and essentials, and I’ve seen how dignity and care can transform lives. Taking the step to volunteer has changed my own life too. I am grateful for the journey, the growth, and the opportunity to make a difference.
Lilian
Company Secretary
My name is Ola Al-Masarwah, a Syrian girl. 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 honor 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.
Ola Al-Masarwah
GROAD Volunteer
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