Emmaus Village Carlton is hosting a drop-in Volunteering Open Morning on Thursday 6 June between 10am and 1pm.

The free event will take place in our Home Store and will be an opportunity to find out more about the variety of roles on offer; tours of the site for potential volunteers will take place at 11am and 12.30pm.

More than 35 volunteers regularly give up their time to help out in many different roles including sorting and pricing donated items for sale, assisting with a van service collecting and delivering furniture, helping with office administration and joining a team growing plants and vegetables in their on-site garden.

Iona Price from Sharnbrook has been volunteering for Emmaus Village Carlton for the past six months: “When my husband passed away I decided that volunteering would be a good way to get out of the house and meet new people. I knew about the Home Store as I live close by, so popped in to ask how I could help. I now volunteer twice a week, assisting with sorting the bags of donated children’s clothing. I enjoy sifting through and finding the good pieces, pricing them up ready to be sold. We’re always very busy and time flies when I’m here. Everyone’s very friendly and the volunteers all have lunch together with staff and those being supported by the charity, which gives people a chance to get to know each other.

“It’s also a good feeling to be able to give back to my local community; I’d definitely recommend it to others.”

Emmaus staff member Jackie Bartholomew works behind the scenes of the Home Store, sorting donated items and helping to support the team of volunteers: “I started out here as a volunteer myself, so I really understand how important it is that people are welcomed and feel valued, especially as they are giving up their time for free.

“When I first started as a volunteer, everyone bent over backwards to make sure I was feeling fine.

“Emmaus Village Carlton often does feel like one big family: everyone knows everyone else and there’s a good community atmosphere. New volunteers get full training and we support them all the way.”

Find out more about volunteering or call 01234 720826 or email [email protected]