Roz Woolven: Volunteers as Van Driver
Age: 58, Lives: Holmer Green
How long have you been volunteering for IRGH?
I started volunteering over a year ago, and I work on Mondays from 10 until 3 or later depending on when the shops and warehouse close. Originally I helped in the new shop in Holmer Green where I live and then I was asked if I would like to try driving one of the vans, distributing our sales items between the shops and our warehouse in Tring.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I think it kind of crept up on me in a way! I have had cancer myself and have also worked in the past as a therapist with others suffering from cancer. I heard that the old bakery in Holmer Green was to be turned into a charity shop so I went along to investigate. I ended up discussing the renovation and then getting totally immersed in the whole project! When the shop was finished I was still keen to stay involved. So this lead to the van driving and now a year later I feel totally part of the IRGH team. And I think, looking back, that I needed something to fill my life a bit more as I'd felt a little superfluous at times with the kids grown up and leaving or already left home.
What does your role involve?
Well, I'm a bit of a Postman Pat I suppose! I drive one of the smaller vans taking lighter items and distributing our lovely stock between the retail outlets and to and from the main warehouse. The larger vans have 2 enthusiastic volunteers to transport some of the great furniture we stock at the Holmer Green shop.
Sometimes I bring some of the more valuable pieces from the shops to the warehouse where our eBay listers work. It's amazing to see that some of the special items donated by our supporters can bring in quite large sums on eBay, bringing in more funds than we would have achieved by selling them in the shops. The Tring warehouse has become a bit of an Aladdin's cave!
I start each Monday from the shop in Holmer Green picking up anything that needs taking to other shops along the way. The round trip takes in the shops at Flackwell Heath, High Wycombe, Downley and Princess Risborough and can take up most of the day ending up at the Tring warehouse for a welcome cup of tea!
And what do you enjoy most?
I find my Mondays really fulfilling and after my own experience with illness I am so glad to be giving something back. Volunteering has been a real confidence booster and I've met so many lovely people and made some fantastic new friends. And as well as loving the drive through some of our most beautiful countryside I get to have a really good nose around in our shops!
Years ago I worked in films and photography, sourcing props for various shoots. Sometimes it feels like I've come full circle as now I find myself ‘sourcing' all kinds of things for my friends! I enjoy painting furniture and have found some fantastic pieces in our Holmer Green shop that I've bought and painted and passed on.
Today I've bought a puzzle for my granddaughter, a gorgeous skirt (for me, or maybe one of my daughters!) and a chest of drawers to paint. I need to be careful or my house will be full as well!
4th September 2011
