ANGELA Knightly has been visiteering (visitor volunteering) at Oxfam stores around the country.
Having moved back to the UK last August, she wanted to spend time in different regions to help her decide where to settle, and to volunteer, wherever she found herself.
Her last location was Wokingham.
The plan to experience different parts of the UK has made her a little bit famous in Oxfam circles.
Volunteer resourcing and engagement coordinator for Oxfam Hannah Barrington supported the unusual volunteering approach.
“I’ve really enjoyed following Angela’s story,” said Hannah, “and everyone has enjoyed having her volunteer with their store.
“Everyone at Oxfam wants an Angela now.”
Originally from Dublin, Angela studied art in the United States.
She stayed for a number of years, long enough to acquire an attractive American accent and transatlantic energy, but eventually realised she needed to return to the UK to be near family.
“I knew it would take some time to find a full-time job once I moved back to the UK,” she said, “So I signed up to dog/cat-and-house-sit in various towns around the country.
“It was great, and I was able to do a bit of work from home, but I wanted to volunteer, to meet people.
“A lot of the charities I approached said that there were various training hoops to jump through before I could take part, but Oxfam was so encouraging.
“I asked if they could train me up to work, not just in one store, but in a number of Oxfam shops around the country, as part of my plan to explore the UK.”
Hannah immediately agreed to help.
“I could feel Angela’s enthusiasm for volunteering,” she said.
“And I thought, ‘what a lovely idea, visiteering – visitor tourists – I’ve not known any other charity shop do this.
“Angela is a proper trail blazer, and she’s made an amazing difference.
“Visiteering is now definitely something we’d love to encourage.”
Hannah introduced Angela to Oxfam shops in Poole, Portishead, and finally Wokingham.
“All the stores were so welcoming, and Imogen (Wokingham manager) even gave me a hug when she met me, ” said Angela.
“I felt like a superstar.
“Everywhere’s unique; at Poole they had a tiny sorting room, and were completely overwhelmed by donations, but there’s more breathing room in Wokingham.
“The thing I love best about volunteering is meeting people.
“In Pool and Portishead I mainly sorted clothes in a back room, but in Wokingham I had a chance to work on the till.
“I had forgotten how much fun it is to talk with customers.”
Angela has been amazed by how much is donated.
“Daily, consistently, so many clothes and items come in,” she said.
“It’s great that people recycle and re-use so much, allowing shops to earn money through their donations.”
Hannah agreed.
“We’re so grateful that people give so generously, and we’re delighted to receive clean items in good condition,” she said.
“Most of what comes in is amazing, but sometimes charity shops can receive dirty clothes, which really isn’t very nice for volunteers to have to rummage through.
“When donating, it’s good to ask yourself, ‘would I buy this?’ and if you wouldn’t, then the item has probably had its day.”
Unsaleable old clothes can still be donated, though – if they are clearly labelled.
“Pre-sorting helps the volunteers and the charity enormously,” Hannah said.
“Just separate old clothes and odd socks from the good stuff, and put them in a bag labelled ‘rags’.
“They won’t be thrown away, but will be put through the fabric recycling route.”
Angela, having finished visiteering, has begun a new designing job in South West England.
“I loved Wokingham, and I’ve really enjoyed moving around, but I’m ready to live in one place now,” she said.
“I would absolutely encourage people to volunteer with Oxfam, or with any charity.
“It’s such a lovely thing to do, and everyone’s a winner; the shops, the individual, and the volunteer teams.”
For information, visit: oxfam.org.uk or drop into Wokingham Oxfam, Peach Street.
