Part 3 Hi Again, I've been away, so just started to spend my Saturday mornings back at Acorns Charity Shop in Barnards Green, Malvern. It's now become a regular commitment and I am still enjoying every minute.听 People ask me what I get out of it? Well, a lot actually!听Not only have I made some new friends, but it's the feel good factor at the end of a shift.听It's great to feel good about yourself, to feel that you have helped to make a difference to someone else's life. "But you spend your free time sorting through other peoples old clothes etc., what difference does that make?" is another question I get asked a lot. Other peoples old clothes and other discarded items mean that people who need it, can get the care and attention that the hospices provide. In the past, people would just bin clothes that no longer fitted them or that weren't in fashion, but now everyone benefits. If you donate a dress/coat/skirt whatever, to a shop - you feel good, then If someone else buys that designer dress for a fraction of it's real value, and they feel good. I have picked up so many genuine bargains over the past few weeks, I will soon have to purchase another wardrobe! So, If you've never been into a charity shop, give it a whirl - you may be surprised. And if you have a couple of hours a week to spare, pop into one and see what you can do to help. Part 2 Well, I've done my first voluntary shift at the Acorns Hospice shop in Barnards Green, Malvern and I loved it. I love visiting charity shops, so I was interested to see what actually does go on behind the scenes. It came as no surprise as to how much work goes on both in the shop and in the back room.听 Acorns pride themselves on providing quality second-hand products and only the best makes it to the shop floor.听 But in order to get onto the shelves and rails, a lot has to be done - sorting, hanging, pricing, steaming, window dressing and generally keeping the shop looking good.听 I did some cascading which is basically stock rotation, making sure that there鈥檚 a good mix of goods on sale.听 I suppose it was basically what I thought it would be, a lot of hard work, but working with some great people like Sue the manager and Jan, another regular volunteer.听 Do I want to go again?听 Yes, very much so - I felt great about myself afterwards, even though it didn鈥檛 seem that I was doing much. It was something I could give back and I also got some great bargains!!! Part 1 For a long time听 now, I have been wanting to do something for The Acorns Children's Hospice - I wanted to give something back after all they did for my nephew when he was ill with Muscular Dystrophy. Sadly he died in Oct 2003, aged 17, but Acorns helped to make his very uncomfortable life a little easier and also helped my sister and family get through the very difficult time after his death. Spare time was always a problem, but since my son left home in August last year,听 I have had a little more of what I call "Mandi Time", so I decided to do some voluntary work in the Acorns Shop in Barnards Green, Malvern.听 It's not much, but every little helps and these shops do generate a lot of desperately needed funding.听 My first visit will be next week, so I'll let you know how I get on. | 
