The eBay expert, Chris has discovered the many joys of volunteering!
Chris was aware of the volunteering work carried out at Isabel Hospice through his sister-in-law who was a friend of Deidre Bastable – one of our longest standing volunteers, who is celebrating her 30th anniversary of volunteering with us this year.
After hearing that an Information session at Hall Grove was approaching, Chris attended keen to explore where his experience could be put to effective use. As a retired IT programmer (yes, you can thank Chris if you ever have to have a body or brain scan) he decided to volunteer with our E Commerce retail department, knowing that his transferrable skills from his programming years would be particularly useful for our eBay online shop. Like most of the team in our E Commerce department he wears a couple of hats: cataloging stock, packing precious items and some very odd tasks such as putting a bed together to photograph for the listing, and then dismantling it!
Chris has spent time with our book appraiser learning how to recognise first editions, distinctive spines and what adds added value to a donated book. He often wonders if today will be the day he discovers a rare edition that will bring in a considerable donation to the Hospice.
Chris says about Volunteering “You come to the Hospice and everything you do will help. I wanted to work with a local charity, and the E Commerce team are all great to work with – such a mixed bunch! My family tell me that I have changed since I’ve started Volunteering. I’m more engaged with what’s going on around me, more interested in people and as we are a big team, have lots of news to share with my family at the end of the day. I’m also keeping physically fit too – lifting bending and stretching all day is keeping me healthy.”
Both Chris’s daughters now live in York, so spare hours are spent on the train or the A1. Chris recently spoke to a friend who now lives overseas whose mother had died in the Hospice. Knowing that he is spending time helping families like his friend’s is a really comforting feeling.
We are always looking for people with interests in books, art, media (including vinyl), jewellery, musical instruments and other produce areas, so if you would like to support our E Commerce retail department, please call our Volunteering Office on 01707 382500 #5 or email volunteer.office@isabelhospice.org.uk. Our next volunteer information session is on Tuesday 18th July 2023 starting at 5.30pm at Living Well Community Hub, Hall Grove, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4PH. Please allow up to two hours. There is free parking onsite and refreshments will be available.
