9 YEARS VOLUNTEERING AT EAST ANGLIA'S CHILDREN'S HOSPICE

Here I am writing my 9 year volunteering post I didn't think I would be but I say that every year and it's getting frustrating! I am glad I started volunteering because it has helped me gain confidence and become less shy but at the same time it's a very long time to be in a unpaid job. I've 3 paid jobs in between doing this but they haven't lasted and I wish I had a permanent job.

When I started all the way back on 21st November 2010 I was really shy and didn't say much at all but I still kept going. I did want to quit sometimes but I didn't and I stayed which is good because it helped me out a lot. The previous manager Brad really helped me come out my shell and become more confident.

I am trying my best to find a job but it's hard and I am getting fed up with it because I don't understand why I haven't got one?. I have skills and experience and I really want to work! but no one wants to employ me. The same companies are always advertising which is ridiculous! I apply for what I can but there's quite a few that have unsuitable hours so I can't get there or back. It would be ideal to have a job where I live but there isn't anything or when there is I don't hear back.

Thanks for reading.

CHARITY SHOP HAUL

Today's post is all about the things I've picked it from volunteering and also a few bits from Scope. I hope you like this post! Do you volunteer? do you shop in charity shops? let me know in the comments.

Asos Current Mood Eyeshadow Palette £2.25

It's rare to find brand new makeup from a charity shop so I was chuffed to find this I've never shopped on asos before so this was a good find! Although I can't believe after searching online it was worth £12! you get 6 matte shades which is good and it's a good size for taking on the go!

Bug Jumper £3.95
I don't normally wear cropped jumpers but I really couldn't leave this one behind! I love the design as I have never seen anything like this before. I will see if I can wear something under it as I am not confident wearing crop tops wish I was but I'm not! hats off to people who do though.

Bomb Cosmetics Bath Bomb Set £2.00
I love bath bombs and I was so happy when I found these ones! I have had the yellow one with the red pieces in before from a previous set I also got from a charity shop I wasn't keen on it though. I did use the other one's in that set. Anyway I can't wait to use these next time I have a pamper I am definitely keeping the balloon one for last as that looks most fun!

Video Notebook £1.00
This is the coolest notebook I've ever found! I love stationery so this is right up my street and it's not very often you find things like this. I have many notebooks and this is the coolest one I own!

Zoella Star Bather Set £3.00
I used to be a Zoella fan when I found her blog I made mine but I lost interest sometime ago now but I saw this in the charity shop and decided to buy it and give it a try! I like bath products such as bath bombs, bath sets etc so when I see them I buy them. This contains bath soak, body lotion, milk powder and exfoliating gloves and I like the packaging and the design is nice.

Notorious Killers DVD Boxset- £3.50
Anyone who knows me knows I love crime documentaries so when I saw this DVD boxset and I just had to have it!. There's 10 DVDs in this set and one episode of a killer. This will keep me occupied for a while.
 

Thanks for reading.

WHY I'VE QUIT VOLUNTEERING

After 8 years yes that long! volunteering at Each (East Anglia's Children's Hospice) I have decided to quit and go onto something new. I didn't think I would've been in unpaid role for this long and I feel that it's definitely time to go on to other things. I'm looking forward to seeing what 2019 has on offer.

I took a break in October because I was starting some courses and things were getting a bit much but since then I had been thinking about whether to go back. My courses have now finished and I've got some ideas on what I could do next such as still volunteering but not a charity shop.

Being at volunteering has helped me in a lot of ways with gaining more confidence, coming out my shell and being less shy. I'm thankful for the time I had there, the people I met, and my previous manager Brad for helping me most come out my shell. I believe I have made the right decision for myself and I am looking forward to what's next.

I will be back in the new year with updates so be sure to stick around for them.

Thanks for reading.

8 YEARS VOLUNTEERING

I wasn't sure if to write this post because I've been on a volunteering break since October because I wanted to concentrate on finding a job. I am getting fed up with it because it's changed since my old manager left and it just isn't the same. I can't believe I made it to 8 years not sure if that's a good thing or not! haha.

I think 8 years is a long time to be in a unpaid job and while volunteering is good I didn't expect to be there this long maybe a few months or a year. I have met some great people and they've helped me gain more confidence and come out my shell. Since February it has changed as we got a new manager the other one left sad face :( I miss him!. It hasn't been the same but I think everyone knew that but they're still there.  I have some good memories there and I am glad I started volunteering but I think it's time I did something else.

What I've Achieved In 8 Years

 Become more confident

Come out my shell

Met new people

Talked to people

Become less shy

Thanks for reading.

WHY I VOLUNTEER IN A CHARITY SHOP

As everyone knows I've been volunteering for the past 7 years now and I thought I'd share why I volunteer and why I'm still there! When I started volunteering in 2010 I was very shy, withdrawn and quiet but with help from my then manager Brad (he's since left) huge sad face :( he got me out my shell I gained confidence in myself. I am now a chatty girl who never shuts up! haha it has helped me in a lot of ways. I didn't think I'd still be there today but unfortunately things haven't gone how I thought they would but I guess it's not a bad thing because I find good things to buy and meet people.

White Stuff Shorts (brand new!)

I volunteer because it gets me out the house for a few hours twice a week while finding a job (well trying to anyway) I also meet and talk to people which has helped me gain confidence and be less shy. I volunteer because I find some good bargains, you never know what people are going to donate so that's one reason I can't leave. I do hope I find a job soon and that things will change for me because I do get fed up with things but I am trying to be positive and hopeful that something will turn up. 

Yellow Jumper I like bright colours

Thanks for reading.

VOLUNTEERING UPDATE

As many know I've been volunteering for the past 7 years at Each but sadly it's changed now because my manager Bradley has handed in his notice to start a new job as cabin crew with BA. I am sad he's leaving but I know he has wanted to leave for a while and I hope his new job works out. It won't be the same without him but I am glad he's going back to what he loves.

He has helped me gain more confidence in myself and become less shy, I've come out my shell a lot and I can't believe I've been there for 7 years!. It's really helped me and I'm grateful for him helping me. I've had many good times like when me and Brad ate loads of crumpets lol!, dressing up for Halloween,going to the WI barn dance and dressing up as a Christmas tree for his new year party. so many things can't name it all!. We've had many good laughs there and I know it won't be the same but I am going to give it a chance and see how the new manager is. If I find a paid job in the meantime then I'll see if I can still volunteer but if not then I'll leave.

Thanks for reading and
I'll be back soon with updates.

7 YEARS VOLUNTEERING

Wow I really can't believe I'm sat writing this post on 7 years at volunteering! I can't quite believe I'm still there after this long! how did that happen?!? I'm glad I'm still there because I always have a laugh and I've met some good people.

While I hadn't been going on my normal 2 days since being at B&M I hardly saw anyone but now I'm back to my 2 days a week until I find a full time job. It's made a huge difference to me and I honestly don't know where I'd be if I hadn't started back in 2010. I know for a fact I'm not the same girl when I started I thought I'd be there for a few months. Though even that might not have made much difference to my confidence and I might not be where I am today.

I've met so many people who are friends now and we always have a laugh together. Some are still there, some aren't who I don't really see now or talk to but I guess that's life as you meet so many people. I've said this in my previous posts but I really don't know where I'd be if I hadn't started here would I even have a job now? So I'm grateful for the people who have helped me become the girl I am today, because without them who knows where I'd be.

Anyway I think I've waffled on enough now.

Thanks for reading.

6 YEARS VOLUNTEERING AT EAST ANGLIA'S CHILDREN'S HOSPICE CHARITY SHOP

I didn't think I'd be writing this post let alone the 5 year one I wrote last year but here I am again writing that I've been volunteering for 6 years now! I can't believe I've been there for so long I even have a nickname which is Bob!.

So I started volunteering back in November 2010 (the 21st) and it's made a huge difference to me with confidence and shyness having Fragile X makes things harder for me but I've definitely come out my shell since being there. It wasn't my plan to be there this long I guess I thought I'd be there for a few months or a year tops but finding a job hasn't been easy at all. I don't know what I'd be doing if I hadn't of gone? would I have a job? who knows but I think it was a good thing that I started.

I just hope my luck changes in 2017 and things get better.

Halloween 2014 with my witchy friend.

Sue,Me, (not there anymore) and Dawn (in green).

I am grateful for all the people I've met who've been there trough the tough times my break up, losing my Grandad and most recently my cat Puddy (this year) and for also rooting for me to get a job they also cheer me up when I'm down. We have a good laugh there it's always fun they are great people to work with and I'm glad I started volunteering.

I do the mornings now I fancied a change from doing all day but really I hope a job comes along soon. I work on Monday mornings with Brad (Boss) Dawn we sort the bric a brac, I also see Pat and his dad Terry. On Friday mornings I work with Brad, Hazel (she's the oldest volunteer but always makes us laugh),Joann and Terry. I sometimes see other the volunteers June, Marion, Cindy and the Wednesday staff who are Vera, Anne and Sue I sometimes see Vera.

I will finish by saying that taking up volunteering was probably the best thing I've done well so far but getting a job will be good too! I will try and still go to volunteering because I know I'll miss it and I'm sure I'll be missed too! (I hope!).

Halloween again 2014 Me,Joann and Sue

Lol trying on wigs!

LOL when I photobomb Brad!.

Brad (boss) and Me at Christmas 2014.

Photobombed again! such fun!.

Me selling the cheeza t-shirts/jumpers.

Cheeza jumper someone made them but donated them to us! I'm not sure what cheeza means and I'm not sure why I posed like that?!?.

Halloween 2014 Me and Brad.

When I wore a big wedding dress!.


Thanks for reading.

5 YEARS VOLUNTEERING AT EAST ANGLIA'S CHILDREN'S HOSPICE CHARITY SHOP

On this day (I officially started on a Monday) 21st November 2010 5 years ago I started volunteering at East Anglia's Children's Hospice in Halstead which I got after Mencap another charity suggested it and I honestly didn't think I'd be here 5 years later I just thought maybe a couple of months or so but it didn't work out like that!. 

Volunteering has really helped me with talking to people, gaining confidence and becoming a lot less shy, I have Fragile X Syndrome which is partly why I'm like that. When I first started I felt like I didn't really fit in as I was new and so quiet and shy and I wanted to quit but I somehow stuck at it.

I first started doing the afternoon shift at 1pm-5pm on Mondays and Fridays I used to come in with my lunch and eat it before even doing any work haha oh dear! but then in 2013 I started doing all day 9:30am-4:30pm to help out in the 6 weeks holidays. I have been going ever since I use the till,sort donations, help the customers, price things and put things out. 

Ever since I began volunteering I have become more cheeky, witty and we all have banter and make jokes and I am glad it's like that. If I went elsewhere and I couldn't be like that then it wouldn't be fun at all. I have come out my shell so much and I am proud of myself for sticking at it and for not quitting because being there has changed me and I am so glad I started.

I've made many great friends Dawn,Bradley who's boss,Joanne,Julia and pat they're the people I mostly work with and it was where I met my now ex boyfriend Richard in 2013.We got together in March 2014 I don't see him anymore even though we live in the same town. 

I really feel I've overcome and achieved a lot in the past 5 years and it is thanks to taking up volunteering it really has made a difference to me.if I hadn't of started or quit I still think I'd be the same shy,quiet,withdrawn girl but somehow I've overcome them and I am more confident and can talk to people which is a huge deal for me and who knows I might get a full time job soon that's my next goal :)

I hope you liked this post and thanks for reading.

                                     

                                     

                           

MY BEST CHARITY SHOP FIND ASOS FOX DRESS

I was so excited when I found this fox dress at volunteering, I volunteer at East Anglia's Children's Hospice in Halstead if you're wondering. I was at the till when I saw this dress and had to go look and I knew I had to buy it .I was drawn to the fox print, foxes are just amazing animals and the green goes well with the orange of the foxes which are just so cute!

The dress is originally from Asos which I don't really buy from because most of my clothes come from the charity shop anyway as I always find such good stuff and it's much much cheaper go check them out. I looked this dress up online and it was meant to be £28 then it was £19 which is still a lot but I only paid £2.25! such a super bargain I am really glad I picked this up when I did.

Thanks for reading.