Our shop: the good, the bad and the future…By the Shop Committee
The good
We have become very popular with many hundreds of visits every week by a great many individuals and families. We are also making a reasonable profit and are exceeding all our targets and expectations.
We are supporting everyone in our community: the elderly have an accessible, friendly place to shop; the children are regaining an element of fun and independence lost when shopping in big towns and supermarkets and everyone seems to appreciate our service.
We are playing an active role in encouraging local food from local producers along with organic food, fair trade food and basic foodstuffs.
We are strengthening our rural community by providing a focal point for chat, gossip, support, help, opportunity for volunteering and a centre of communication.
We are overflowing with your suggestions about future developments including dry cleaning drop off, local vegetables etc. With your help, new products are always being identified and sourced.
The bad
More volunteers are urgently needed to do a couple of hours a week in the Shop. Too few people are having to do too many hours and this is not sustainable. Volunteering in pairs is a great way to commit, but still keep flexibility. Also this means that you are not alone in the Shop. The average time-slots last two hours; some last longer and some are less.
FAQs
Why do you need more volunteers? The shop is always staffed when I go in!
You are right, but only because a relatively small number of people are doing a lot of hours. The simple truth is, if we cannot recruit more volunteers to share the load, the shop may not be sustainable.
How many hours a week do I have to commit to?
Preferably a minimum of two hours a week, above that whatever suits you. You may only be able to do the occasional hour.
The main reason I haven’t volunteered is because I find it hard to commit to one slot every week. Is there anyway round this?
Why not volunteer with a friend? That way if you are both available, you can work together and enjoy it. But if one of you has another commitment one week, then the other can always cover.
I have no experience working in a shop.
A couple of things to remember: you are not just thrown in at the deep end, because we have a great training programme and you will always be part of a team.
I can see why it’s good for the community, but, to put it bluntly, what’s in it for me?
It is great for strengthening our rural community and it is always a good feeling knowing you are doing something really worthwhile, you’ll find that all the current volunteers love doing it!
I would like to find out about volunteering at the shop, but I don’t want to get pressured into it before I have made my mind up.
We totally understand. Just chat to one of the volunteers or committee members.
If you have read this far, please don’t think that someone else will volunteer. The shop has proved incredibly successful: it is profitable, busy, a focal point for the village, it is giving opportunities to the elderly and freedom to our children, it offers a convenient source of good, local food for everyone. But without enough volunteers to run it, it cannot be sustainable in the long term.
And the future…
Planning permission has been granted for a permanent extension to the village hall and we are working hard to make sure our shop is here to stay.
We will raise the £30,000 plus to make this happen, hopefully it won’t be too hard if everyone helps a little with time, money and/or practical skills.
Telephone Numbers
The Shop @ The Lee Parish Hall 837195For more information please ring any of the above Committee Members.
Giles and Sally Knowles 837535
Richard and Mary Stewart-Liberty 837341
Sally Campbell 837007
Fiona Baxter 837715