5 amazing people who keep our shops open

But what kind of person does it take to be a shop volunteer? Of course, anyone can get involved – you don’t need any previous experience (although you must be over 18). But the reality is it takes a very special person – and each individual volunteer brings a unique and valued quality to the role.

Meet five amazing people who tirelessly help to keep Concern’s shops open – even in difficult times.

Now enjoying semi-retirement, Rodney Maxwell volunteers three days a week in one of our shops.

Rodney’s something of a charity shop pro – and has been lending his time and experience to other charities for more than 40 years. Now a Concern shop volunteer, he’s enthusiastically taken on the role of teaching newbies how to use the till.

Rose Skillen is a new volunteer and devotes one afternoon a week helping out in Concern’s newest shop.

“The shop has been really busy since we opened, even in these hard times,” she said. “People are coming in with lots of donations.”

That’s music to Rose’s ears because she believes firmly in the sustainability value of charity shops – reusing and upcycling pre-owned items.

Sharon McLoughlin has been managing Concern’s Antrim Road shop in Belfast since it opened only a few months ago. But she’s brimming with ideas and experience – having worked in charity retail for 14 years.

“No two days are the same,” she said. “You don’t know who’s going to come through the door, or what donations you’ll receive – it could be anything from a needle to an anchor.

Joan Douglas couldn’t take her eyes off Concern’s Ormeau Road shop in Belfast before volunteering. Her family-run business was just across the road – and she passed the shop every day, even spending some of her lunchtimes browsing inside for bargains.

After retiring about a year and half ago, Joan decided to become a Concern volunteer.

Alison Campbell has always been a big fan of charity shops because they are the perfect place for a hidden gem.

After being made redundant, Alison began volunteering for two shifts a week in one of our shops. And it’s a role that comes naturally to her.

“It’s second nature,” she said. “I was a retailer for a long time. It’s what I do, it’s in my bones. It’s nice just to give something back and know that you’re helping people.

• Concern has six second-hand shops in the UK – all of them in Northern Ireland.
• Two are bookshops and four sell pre-owned household items and clothes.
• Concern’s first shop opened in the seaside resort of Ballycastle in north Antrim after the local community decided to support Concern’s response to the devastating famine in Ethiopia in 1983.
• Less than 10 years later, in another coastal town, Newcastle in Co Down, a group of women got together to open Concern’s second shop – this time in response to the deadly famine in Somalia in 1992.
• To date, Concern’s shops have raised over £3 million in donations to help the world’s most vulnerable people.
• Some of our shop volunteers have been with us for more than 35 years – now that’s commitment!
• It takes on average 24 volunteers each week to keep just one of our shops open.

If you would like to volunteer in one of Concern’s shops in Northern Ireland, please contact [email protected]