At Bassetlaw Food Bank we’re working on diversifying our income streams to help support the services and projects that we run. One way that we do this is via our retail operation. Alongside food donations for our emergency food parcels, we accept non-food donations, which are sorted through at our Retford premise. We then sell these items on Retford’s Friday market or on our eBay and Vinted accounts. We accept donations of clothing, bric-a-brac, jewellery and other accessories, shoes, crockery, and furniture at the Retford shop and the Community Hub in Worksop.
Retford shop: Unit E, Buttermarket House, DN22 6BP – opening times Monday to Thursday 10:30am till 3:30pm, Fridays we can be found on the Retford Market
Community Hub: Community Way off Shrewsbury Road, Manton, Worksop, S80 2TU – opening times Monday to Thursday 10am till 4pm, Fridays 10am till 3pm
Excitingly, in May of this year, we were able to employ a Retail Manager to oversee this venture. Today you can read about their journey so far.
Hi Adam! Now that you’ve had some time to settle into the role, what would you say your favourite part of the job is?
A: I think the biggest part is being able to give back to the customers that we are there for in the first place i.e. the people who need our services. Also, bringing on the volunteers to the retail side has enabled us to hit our target and take the money we’ve made and use it for our running costs. That’s the biggest part I’d say.
That’s great. What is something that you’ve learnt in this role?
A: To be more patient in myself, personally speaking. And to be able to manage a team of people who are volunteers is a big one because it’s one of those aspects where you’re in their hands. They do whatever they can do for you, and the hours that they can do for you, you’ve just got to manage their expectations in a sense.
Very true. A volunteer’s time is valuable, and it has to be treated as such. So, what is something you’d like the community to know about the charity?
A: It’s that we’re there for them. If they need help in any way we can care for their needs. We can also help people that need house clearances and aid them to make a situation easier for them for example when dealing with loss in the family. This obviously helps us to take more money and supports the charity.
Final question Adam, what role do volunteers play in Retford?
A: Huge, absolutely huge! The biggest part is that without them we don’t survive. I can’t do it on my own. The volunteers, they’re just amazing. They pitch in on anything you need, they just do it for the charity, and I can’t live without them. Thank you!
Thanks to Adam and retail team of volunteers for their hard work, and of course the community that support us with donations of all kinds.