If you are looking for the opportunity to get out, give something back to your community or gain some experience, then Age UK Lancashire is looking for your help.  The older people’s charity is reopening its charity shops across the county, since their forced closure due to the coronavirus.

Janine Dawson, Retail Manager at the charity said: “There has never been a time where the older people of Lancashire need us more and as we reopen our Age UK Lancashire shops, we are in need of people to support us.  Whether you have some spare time, are currently furloughed or out of work and looking for a way to keep busy, we really could use your support.  We would be grateful for however much time you can spare us each week.”

The forced closure of the charity shops has led to a large fall in income at a time where their services and support have never been needed more.  The charity has worked hard supporting older people, many of which have no family or friends to rely on, throughout the lockdown period and have been a vital lifeline for many, through supporting people with shopping, essential cleaning and keeping connected to the outside world.

The reopening of their shops throughout Lancashire has been carefully planned with all social distancing and guidelines being followed, ensuring the safety of both staff, volunteers and customers.  Janine Dawson said: “rest assured we have done everything possible to make our shops safe, all our stock has been quarantined and sanitized and any new donations will be dealt with in the same way.”

The charity relies on donations of unwanted clothing and household items and with many people having a good clear out during the lockdown the charity are encouraging people to drop off their donations to any of their shops and they will be gratefully received.

Janine Dawson added: “Volunteering in a shop can be very rewarding and a lot of fun too! We have a wide array of volunteer roles in our shops from helping sorting donations in the stockroom, serving customers on the shop floor, and even making our window displays look fabulous! If you have spare time on your hands and want to play your part in supporting the older people of Lancashire, please get in touch.  You will have a great time whilst knowing you are helping the most vulnerable people in our local communities.”

Applying to volunteer is really simple and can be done online at www.ageuk.org.uk/lancashire/get-involved/volunteer/shop-volunteering/ 

To keep up to date with how the charity supports people you can visit their website www.ageuklancs.org.uk or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.