Ann and June long-serving retail volunteers

Our shops place the Hospice at the heart of communities. Not only do they raise vital funds that support the funding of our services, but they are also community hubs that provide a space for social interaction and create connections between St Nic’s and the community we support.

For our next “40 Faces of St Nic’s,” we would like to introduce you to June Entwistle and Ann Thornalley, two of our stalwart volunteers who help make sure that our Mildenhall shop runs like clockwork.

Both June and Ann have each dedicated almost 30 years to St Nic’s. They have seen a lot of changes over that time—a shop move and three managers—but what hasn’t changed is that they have both remained passionate about volunteering to support the Hospice.

Ann, who volunteers on Monday afternoons, says: “I really enjoy volunteering for the Hospice. It is a lovely shop, we have lovely people, and it is nice to know that you are giving something back to the Hospice. Of course, I do enjoy it. We are a very friendly group.

“I think I started volunteering when I was around 60. To be honest, I had wanted to volunteer for quite a while, but at that time, there were only really the shops around Bury (St Edmunds), and that was just a little too far. I then found out that St Nic’s was coming to Mildenhall, and that was my chance.”

June adds: “After I lost my husband, a friend who lived in the village came to see me, and she said, ‘Why don’t you come and join me and volunteer for the Hospice?’ So that’s where it all began.

“I just think volunteering is a good way to help. I get to meet nice people and feel like I’m doing something helpful, and we all get along so well.”

New shop, more space, fresh beginning

In October 2011, after 16 years at its location in Market Place, it was announced that the Hospice’s Mildenhall shop would be on the move, following the end of its lease agreement, as the charity wanted to find a bigger premises to become the store’s new home. The shop re-opened just before Christmas in Mill Street.

A few months later, staff, volunteers, and Hospice representatives gathered to officially declare the new store in Mill Street open for business on April 20, 2012. With the ribbon cut by RAF Sqdn Ldr Rick Fryer, there was much excitement.

June said: “When we moved into the new shop, it was a case of getting in, getting sorted, and carrying on with what we needed to do.”

For a time in-between the move, the shop was in a bit of no man’s land, with volunteers joining manager Karen at her home to sort through donated items.

“The move gave us a lot more space. There have been lots of changes: the tills changed, and we got a new-fangled system (I preferred the old one). So when we came here (Mill Street shop), I moved over to sorting and getting items ready for sale,” added Ann.

‘I remember the first time’

One of the big roles our shop volunteers support with is getting donated items ready for sale. This can include sorting, steaming, hanging, ticketing, and displaying—making sure they look their very best for our customers.

One of the memories Ann shared was the special feeling she felt when something sold in the shop made a real difference to someone.

“I remember the first time that happened. A young girl came into the shop having seen a wedding dress in the window. She loved the dress, and it fitted her perfectly, and we also had two bridesmaid dresses as well. To see that person go away so happy with a lovely outfit—I have always remembered that. Everyone benefited, and it made it all feel so worthwhile,” said Ann.

All about the window

You know it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas when our Mildenhall Shop’s window display arrives.

Each year, a theme is picked (planning starts in January), and work to create a stunning display, which helps the shop to advertise their annual Christmas Fayre, begins.

So much work goes into these window displays, with staff and volunteers working late to make sure everything looks perfect on the day it’s unveiled. Window themes have varied over the years.

Going back over the years in the Market Place shop (which had much smaller windows), Ann used to create a nativity display.

Getting the window and shop ready for the Christmas Fayre really is a team effort for the Mildenhall shop, and both June and Ann have seen it grow over the years. Alongside the rest of the team, they up their volunteer hours, with the build-up becoming very much like a family affair, with everyone lending a hand.

 

“It has been nice to see the fayre grow over the years, and we have certainly had a lot of fun along the way,” says June.