Helen Sheppard, Regent Street Shop Manager

Helen shares her experience working for the Charity:

What’s your role at the Charity and where are you based?
I’m the full-time Manager at the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Shop in Regent Street in Cambridge.

Between myself and the Assistant Manager, Janice Doyle and our fabulous team of volunteers, we keep the shop up and running – ready to accept and sort donations, fill the rails with superb high-end clothing, accessories, jewellery, books, bric a brac and records.
Our customers are typically Cambridge University students, visitors to the City and local Cityfolk, who have all found a treasure, a new outfit or a fancy hat to wear to the races! There is always a warm welcome when they drop by 30 Regent Street.

How long have you worked for the Charity?
I first started working in the shop as an Assistant Manager on 20 December 2010. I found it to be a fast-paced career, never knowing what the next carload of donations might bring.
One year later the Manager at the shop left and I applied for her job and got it! I’ve now been the full-time Manager for almost fourteen years, that’s fifteen years at the shop in total.

What does your job entail?
I divide my time between keeping the shop nice and tidy and fully stocked – maybe doing a window display, chatting with customers or signing someone up for gift aid. I can also be found beavering away in the stockroom, sorting out the jewellery, antique books or designer shoes. There are many, many roles we managers play in our charity shops from librarian to window dresser and we can even be a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on.

What’s the best thing about what you do?
The best thing about my job is spending every day with my lovely volunteers. They are all part of our wonderful shop team. We don’t just work together; we have fun together. They look forward to joining me and Janice while raising money for such a wonderful local charity.

Can you describe the most rewarding aspect of your role at the Charity?
I look forward to going to work each day and it makes us happy when we hear customers tell us it’s their favourite charity shop, we know then that all the hard work pays off.

What’s your most memorable moment working for the Charity?My most memorable moment would be the day I received the news that my interview had been successful and I was the new Shop Manager. My first day as an Assistant Manager had been my dad’s birthday and this was just as special. I was thrilled, little was I to know that it’s turned out to be the best job in the world.

Please share something which we may not know about you!
I have many hobbies but my favourite is being a member of ‘Knits of the round table’ – the Charity’s knitting group. I joined with my mother during lockdown, we took part in zoom meetings together. Mum taught me to knit as Gran had taught her. We have both produced hundreds of items that you may have seen or bought from the Hospice reception or at some of the fundraising events over the years.

What inspired you to join the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity team?
I originally started helping the Charity by volunteering at the Mill Road shop back in 2009 when I found myself temporarily out of work. I helped put the shop together ready for it’s grand opening. I really enjoyed it and vowed to help again when I could – even when I left for paid employment. Since then, I’ve covered for Managers both back at Mill Road and also at Burleigh Street and the shop in Cottenham. I got so much out of volunteering and helping out where needed, there’s so many roles and different positions that need filling, I highly recommend it to anyone.

If you think you would like to give it ago please pop into any of our shops, check our website arhc.org.uk/volunteer or email volunteer@arch.org.uk or telephone 01223 675872 .