What tasks or activities did you participate in during your volunteer day?
Our volunteering took place across BHF stores in Belfast (Fountain Street), Manchester (Salford), London (Teddington), Leicestershire (Hinckley), and Edinburgh (Dalkeith), with colleagues supporting a wide range of activities based on the needs of each location.
In Belfast, we sorted stock, steamed clothes, and prepared items for the shop floor, while also tidying both the sales area and stock rooms.
In Salford, the team focused on customer engagement and logistics, including assisting with furniture purchases, handling phone enquiries, organising collections, logging Gift Aid claims, and updating price tags in line with 2025 point of sale guidelines.
Teddington volunteers supported merchandising, till operations, stock replenishment, and processed Amazon donation boxes – researching values and preparing items for sale in-store or online.
In Dalkeith, colleagues worked front-of-house processing purchases, signing up new Gift Aiders, organising collections, and preparing stock for display.
The variety of tasks across locations gave us a real appreciation for the work of BHF’s retail teams and the dedication required to keep stores running day-to-day.
What did you enjoy the most and why?
The most enjoyable activities varied across our locations, but each left a lasting impression.
In Belfast, our team really valued the opportunity to work closely with the brilliant store team – it was a fun and energising day that strengthened team spirit and gave us a chance to connect with the people behind the scenes.
In Salford, assisting customers stood out as a highlight – their excitement over the range and value of the stock made the experience incredibly rewarding.
Our volunteers in Teddington especially enjoyed sorting and pricing donated items; with so many unique and unusual finds, it felt like exploring Aladdin’s cave.
Meanwhile, in Dalkeith, working alongside the whole team was a real pleasure – hearing their stories and watching their interactions with customers gave us a deeper appreciation of the dedication and warmth that defines BHF’s retail teams.
What was the most rewarding part of your volunteer day?
Across all locations, the most rewarding part of the day was knowing that our support was genuinely valued and appreciated. Whether it was lending a hand to store managers like Diane in Salford – who, is a superstar, managing an incredibly busy store – so simply getting stuck into tasks that helped ease the day-to-day workload felt good to make a meaningful contribution.
In Belfast, it was rewarding to speak with the store team and gain a better understanding of what they truly enjoy about their roles, as well as the day-to-day challenges they face in delivering such important work.
In Teddington, our colleague appreciated the opportunity to see first-hand how the stores operate. Meanwhile, in Dalkeith, it was particularly powerful to gain insight into the broader challenges BHF faces in raising the funds needed to continue its life-saving work. It was a humbling and motivating reminder of the purpose behind what we do.
Did volunteering with your colleagues impact your teamwork and collaboration at all?
It gave us the chance to connect beyond our day-to-day roles, collaborate in new ways, and get to know colleagues we don’t always work with directly. The day was not only enjoyable but also energising. It reinforced how much can be achieved when we pull together towards a common goal. It was a valuable and motivating experience that left us feeling more connected as a team.
Would you consider volunteering again?
Yes – it was a genuinely fulfilling and enjoyable experience, and we would gladly volunteer again.
Would you encourage others to get involved with volunteering? And if so, why?
Absolutely. Volunteering with BHF was eye-opening – it highlighted just how much work goes on behind the scenes and how essential volunteer support is to keeping things running. The experience was not only rewarding but also genuinely enjoyable, thanks to the warm and welcoming store teams. We would highly encourage others to get involved – it is a meaningful way to support a great cause while building stronger connections along the way.