To mark National Volunteers’ Week which runs from 1–7 June, Salvation Army Trading Company’s shop in Hope Street, Inverkeithing, is launching a drive for volunteers and is appealing to local residents to consider giving up a few hours each week to help in the shop and make a real difference to their community.

Salvation Army Trading Company currently has around 350 people each week volunteering in its 60 shops up and down the country, which offer items such as clothes, books, CDs and homewares at affordable prices. Profits from these shops are gift aided to The Salvation Army, which uses the money to help operate residential homes for the elderly, homeless services, a family tracing service, youth and family centres, professional addiction services and much more all over the UK.

Salvation Army Trading Company regional retail manager, Jill Sansom, says that despite the hard work and enthusiasm of the current volunteers, there are still further opportunities for new people to help with the demands of running the busy Inverkeithing shop.

“Each of our shops, like the one in Inverkeithing, relies on the work of volunteers to help with the many and varied tasks that enable it to trade each day, said Jill Sansom. “Nationally, we handle around 40,000 transactions each week and although each shop has a dedicated manager, it’s the volunteers that really keep the wheels turning.

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve had previous experience in retail or whether you’ve never had a job before – everybody is welcome and on-the-job training is available. By learning new skills and meeting new people, volunteering can be a lot of fun and have a positive effect on your own life as well as on the lives of others in your community and further afield.”

Salvation Army Trading Company ensures that when volunteers come forward they’re given the opportunity to contribute to the areas of the business that most interest them; those with a passion for fashion may enjoy sorting through the stock and finding key pieces for display, whereas those who enjoy meeting new people may prefer to help out in a customer service role. And although recent statistics show that around an impressive 45% of the adult population undertakes formal volunteer work, Salvation Army Training Company is keen to dispel some myths surrounding volunteering that it believes may be putting the other 55% off.

“One of the biggest concerns that people have when they’re thinking of volunteering is that it will take up too much of their time,” added Jill Sansom. “But all we ask for is a commitment of a few hours a week. If you’re looking for your first job and want a bit of experience to put on your CV, retired and want to stay active within the community, or simply looking for a way to help support good causes and meet new people, volunteering at our Inverkeithing shop could be the perfect solution.”

So, with research showing that people who live in areas with high levels of civic participation are more likely to lead happier lives, why not use National Volunteer Week to kick start your role as a volunteer, giving yourself and your community a boost in the process!

For more information on volunteering opportunities in Salvation Army Trading Company’s Inverkeithing shop, simply ask in store or call 01383 41151.

Address: 3 Hope Street, Inverkeithing, Fife, KY11 1LW