Oxfam Scotland’s two shops in Troon have issued an urgent appeal for volunteers.
The shops on Church Street and Academy Street have recently struggled to find enough helpers to make the most of the donations handed in by the local community. The Church Street shop opened in 1972, making it the oldest Oxfam shop in Scotland.
Shop manager Gillian Nelson estimates she needs about 70 regular volunteers to ensure the shop runs as efficiently as possible, compared to the 30 she has now. She’s calling on members of the community to ‘Give a Shift’ to help run the shop.
Nelson said: “The local community in Troon is always incredibly generous with their donations – we’ve had everything from brand new Calvin Klein handbags to vintage tea sets handed in. What we need now is volunteers who can help us make the most of what we’ve been given, so we can raise as much money for Oxfam’s anti-poverty and humanitarian work as possible.”
Volunteers are asked to give as little as four hours a week of their time and can take up a range of vital roles, from serving customers to sorting donations and arranging window displays.
Head of Oxfam Scotland Jamie Livingstone recently gave a shift at the Church Street shop and is encouraging locals to do the same.
Right now, around 1,000 people across Scotland volunteer their time to help run Oxfam’s 46 Scottish shops. Last year these shops between them raised over £2.9 million in vital funds for Oxfam’s lifesaving work.
Livingstone said: “Everyone who volunteers at Oxfam joins a powerful movement united by one goal – an end to poverty and suffering.
“Oxfam is currently responding to multiple emergencies in different parts of the world whilst also continuing our long-term development work to support people out of poverty. The money raised through our shops across Scotland is critical to funding our work, not least this shop in Troon given its incredible 45-year history.
“We’ve all got the power to help change the world and everyone who volunteers in our shops is doing their bit, in their own way, to help create a fairer future for everyone.”
To find out more or volunteer your time, contact the Oxfam shop on 01292 317712 or at oxfamshopf5945@oxfam.org.uk.
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For more information please contact Rebecca Lozza, Media and Communications Officer, Oxfam Scotland, on 0141 285 8875 or RLozza1@Oxfam.org.uk