Hear from Brenda Cummings about her time at ReStore Newtownards!
For the past 3 months, Brenda has been volunteering in ReStore Newtownards and has found a love for giving back to her local community through ReStore.
Her volunteer journey began in June after she retired. After coming across a Facebook post about opportunities to get involved with ReStore, Brenda signed up to volunteer. She said, "I loved it from the minute I came in".
Now volunteering 3 days a week, Brenda loves doing a variety of tasks to keep the store running smoothly throughout the day. Most often she can be found organizing boxes of smaller donations like pictures, appliances, and bric-a-brac.
When asked what keeps her coming back to ReStore each week, Brenda told us, "Everything about this place motivates me to come back. The people (the team are amazing), the customers, the constant turnover, how busy you can be. And I love to tidy."
Through ReStore, Brenda has been able to connect with so many on both sides of the counter. After a career in banks and retail outlets, she's able to engage with customers effortlessly over their purchases and help the find just what they’re looking for.
“I’m good with customers… I greet everybody that comes in and just really like interacting with the public.”
Brenda says that the thing that has surprised her the most about ReStore is the number of volunteers that come into the shop on a weekly basis, to support the work of the social enterprise. "It's admirable how many people come here and do such good things. The fact that they are so willing to go the extra mile to help people.”
“I don't believe that you’ll find a better place to volunteer. I think that young people should volunteer so that they can gain skills with people and older people should volunteer to help fill your day. You need company and you need to be in a place that makes you happy. This place makes me happy.”
