After more than 20 years focusing on raising her children, volunteering helped Corine build confidence, discover a passion for retail and take her first steps back into employment.
When Corine first started volunteering at our Octavia Foundation charity shop in South Kensington, she was initially looking for an opportunity to step back into work, having spent more than 20 years at home raising her children.
But getting back into employment wasn’t easy - Corine applied for countless jobs in other cafés and shops without success, before she took an opportunity to volunteer at the Octavia Foundation shop. What she didn't expect was that volunteering would help her discover a passion for retail, build confidence, and eventually lead to a paid role.
Corine said: “I’d been applying for lots of jobs and wasn’t finding anything. I felt I needed more purpose in my life, and volunteering at the shop gave me that opportunity.”
Located close to The Royal Marsden Hospital, the South Kensington shop is more than a place to find great bargains. For many customers, it's somewhere to find a friendly face, enjoy a conversation, and feel connected to their community.
Having visited the shop regularly with her children, Corine had already seen the important role volunteers played in creating a welcoming community. She spoke to the manager about volunteering and started almost immediately after applying.
Over the next six months, volunteering gave Corine the chance to gain a new sense of purpose and practical retail experience, as well as build her confidence and become part of a supportive team.
“I’ve found that working in a charity shop is really rewarding. It’s good for the planet because we’re recycling used items, there’s always variety because you never know what stock is going to come in, and the customers are so friendly. There’s a real community feeling in the shop.”
As Corine’s experience grew, so did the opportunities available to her. Just a few months after starting as a volunteer, a paid Assistant Manager position became available at the shop. Corine applied and was successful.
Now three weeks into her new role, she is looking forward to continuing to develop her skills and build on everything she has learned.
“When I first started volunteering, I never imagined it would lead to a paid job. It’s given me experience, confidence and a sense of purpose, and I’m really happy to have the opportunity to take the next step.”
Corine’s journey shows how volunteering can be a valuable stepping stone into employment, helping people build skills, confidence and connections while opening the door to new opportunities.
Thinking about volunteering?
Volunteering can be a great way to:
- Gain experience
- Build confidence
- Learn new skills
- Meet new people
- Support your local community
- Explore future career opportunities
We offer a range of volunteering opportunities across our charity shops, BASE Productions and Kensington Day Centre, giving people of all ages and interests the chance to get involved, develop new skills and make a difference in their community.
Find out about volunteering, skills and employment support >>