At the beginning of 2023, Chelsea Hockey-Morley found her mental health wasn’t in a good place for some months. However, with encouragement from her Dad, she applied to volunteer at our Swiss Cottage shop. From that day, Chelsea not only improved her mental health, but progressed to a paid role as Assistant Manager within just a year. What a year!
Chelsea sat down with BHF Retail Volunteer Manager, Ana Perich, to share her journey.
When did you decide to apply to volunteer?
I decided to apply because I wasn't really doing much and my mental health wasn't good at that time. I didn't leave the house for about five months before applying to volunteer and my dad advised me to volunteer and see what it's like and then go from there. So, I applied to Swiss Cottage shop because this one was the closest one, I used to come and buy from here. I got a present from my grandparents from this shop, a Barbara Streisand record.
How did you find the online application procedure?
It's easy on the website, and then I think I was in denial thinking they won't get back to me straight away and they got back to me which isn't good when you're in like denial. It was April (Shop Manager) who phoned me and asked if I could come in in the New year.
Which position did you apply for?
I wanted to do something that no one could see me, so I started in the office. I was volunteering in the office for a month, and I pretty much kept myself to myself. Then, thanks to other team members I started gradually to support the team on the shop floor. They were short of staff, and I told them that I can help but I will need extra training on it, so we started with the training from next Monday.
Then the opportunity came out to apply for Sales Assistant here and I applied and got the job! Few months later, opportunity arose for Assistant Manager in Holloway, and I applied, but I didn’t get it. I got feedback from the Area Manager on what to improve and next time when opportunity arose, I applied for Assistant Manager here in Swiss Cottage.
Would you say that 2023 for you was a year full of changes from applying to volunteer to working now as an Assistant Shop Manager?
I don't actually like change ; I don't do very well with a lot of change but I'd say 2023 is probably my best year because a lot happened. I was in control with a lot of it and I chose the things up here, and I didn't really have anyone around me last year now we have amazing people here in shop.
What would you say to people who are thinking about volunteering?
I would encourage people to try and test whether volunteering is for them or not. I convinced my dad to volunteer and this year he did volunteer for a cycle in Scotland and next year. Oh and my sister actually had started as a volunteer one day a week here in our shop now.
I would say to anyone wanting to give back to community, but there's also the personal part which is, you meet so many different people and I say from my time here, because I was so closed off for so long, I kind of forgotten what it was like to be around people and it is about meeting different people and you make friends.
As a volunteer how easy it was for you to apply for job, I mean where do you get the information how did you know that we were looking for paid staff?
I got my information from the sales system job, it is also important that you speak with your Manager always expressing that you are looking for a paid role, so you can get a necessary training for specific role.
Thank you Chelsea for sharing your story with us. If you’re feeling inspired to make this year your best, you can find out more on applying for paid roles here.