Oxfam’s Rothesay store has issued an urgent appeal for volunteers to help keeps its doors open and deal with the deluge of donations it has received since re-opening last month.
Without enough volunteers to help sort and sell the donations, Shop Manager Jan Cochrane says she will have no choice but to reduce the store’s opening hours, resulting in less money being raised for Oxfam’s lifesaving work around the world.
The shop has lost many volunteers during the pandemic and Jan estimates she needs at the very least six more sets of helping hands to keep the store’s doors open.
Jan Cochrane, Rothesay Shop Manager, said: “We’ve been absolutely bowled over by the public’s support and generosity since we re-opened last month and we’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who’s already popped into the store.
“As we get back to business in a Covid-safe way we’re now also encouraging people from all walks of life who want to live in a fairer, more sustainable world to consider giving one of the greatest gifts of all: their time.”
Money raised by Oxfam’s Scottish shops – including by the Rothesay store – has never been more urgently needed: right now, Oxfam is working with partners all over the world to help protect some of the most vulnerable people on the planet from the threat of coronavirus; providing them with clean water, soap and information on how to stay safe.
Volunteers are asked to give as little as a few 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. As well as volunteers, Oxfam’s Rothesay store is also appealing for good quality donations, including clothing, books, music and bric-a-brac.
Protecting staff, volunteers, and customers from Covid-19 remains Oxfam’s priority, with shop teams continuing to implement strict protocol, including social distancing, readily available hand sanitiser, masks and gloves for staff, screens at tills, regular and frequent cleaning, closed changing rooms and encouraging contactless payment.
People interested in volunteering in Rothesay are being asked to contact the shop directly.
/ENDS
For more information and interviews, please contact: Rebecca Lozza, Oxfam Media and Communications Adviser, Scotland and Wales: rlozza1@oxfam.org.uk / 07917738450
Notes to Editors
Oxfam has a network of over 500 high street shops across Britain, including 41 in Scotland.
Oxfam’s Five Tips on How to Donate:
Clean things. Wherever possible, put clothes and textiles through the washing machine and wipe down solid surfaces
Have a think about what items we can sell. Ask yourself, “Would someone I know buy this?” If the answer is “Yes”, we’d love to receive it.
Call ahead when you’re ready to donate, to check the best time for your local shop.
Stagger your donations, rather than bringing everything at once. We appreciate not everyone has lots of storage space and we’d be delighted to help clear your clutter from your home whenever the time is right and remember to bring your donations in bags or boxes which you don’t want back.
Remember to Gift Aid your donation, this scheme allows charities to claim 25% extra on the sale of your donations. When you tag your bag with Gift Aid we will also let you know how much money your items have raised for our work which includes supporting people facing coronavirus around the world.