I’m starting to think I could set up my own fan club. I seem to have acquired a few admirers and inadvertently divulged parts of my life I may have otherwise remained private.
I don’t mean dark secrets (my life is unfortunately not that exciting) but getting to know staff and customers, I think is key to forming a strong working relationship.
I have cakes baked for me on a regular basis by a kind Indian lady, clothes mended, thank you cards, chocolates, courtesy phone calls..
I do receive the odd (in every sense of the word) phone call regarding my advice on men dressing in ladies clothes, you always have to remain polite because it may be a genuine question but quite often it’s not. Sigh.
Everyone knows my name apart from you reader, but at the shop it’s a nice thing people can address you by your name and sometimes ask for me personally.
But if I’m in the back room which sometimes I don’t think they realise that I have a lot of work to do, processing stock, paperwork, helping other volunteers etc. I spend an equal time on the shop floor but it’s not always possible or practical all the time especially if we have lots of staff working in there too! I sometimes hear them joking that “I’m hiding”.
I could be you know!
Monday, 22 July 2013
Thursday, 4 July 2013
Justice is served
It’s been a stressful week but constructive. Last weekend we had some video games stolen, on Monday a police offer entered the shop with a brown paper bag full of video games with our stickers and gift aid references on them. So we were able to immediately identify them!
We matched them up to our records and we had no record of this sale which became evidence the police could use to charge the offender.
People still find it so hard to believe people shoplift from a charity shop!
On a more light-hearted topic we have experienced a couple of really busy weeks in the shop, some nice donations brought in and people seem happy to spend!
Lots of new customers and younger people are coming in who I’m finding are buying more than they used to – probably because we are offering affordable fashion which can be mixed and matched with high streets purchases.
The shop attracts a diverse range of customers, students with a limited budget buying in bulk, small clothes businesses such as vintage shops stocking up with our selections and the more established customer with probably more disposable income who finds charity shop retailing quite a novel and addictive pursuit.
We welcome all into the shop and hope they continue to support the charity, not only with their donations but also their custom.
We matched them up to our records and we had no record of this sale which became evidence the police could use to charge the offender.
People still find it so hard to believe people shoplift from a charity shop!
On a more light-hearted topic we have experienced a couple of really busy weeks in the shop, some nice donations brought in and people seem happy to spend!
Lots of new customers and younger people are coming in who I’m finding are buying more than they used to – probably because we are offering affordable fashion which can be mixed and matched with high streets purchases.
The shop attracts a diverse range of customers, students with a limited budget buying in bulk, small clothes businesses such as vintage shops stocking up with our selections and the more established customer with probably more disposable income who finds charity shop retailing quite a novel and addictive pursuit.
We welcome all into the shop and hope they continue to support the charity, not only with their donations but also their custom.
Monday, 24 June 2013
Love Donor
I promised you a love story and you shall have one. Not a mills and boon but more of an unexpected twist, a chance event....fate.
It is a sweet story in fact, a story that proves it’s never too late to find love.
A few years ago a gentleman of a mature age became a regular afternoon customer: a tall man, educated and a well of random information of stories and adventures. Anything you want to know he knows it, anything you want to do he's done it, anywhere you want to go he's going.
He would stand for a good hour or so while the shop evolved around him, he would start a conversation, you could walk away and come back and it would still be in progress which made for a very friendly and approachable man.
His time spent in the shop resulted in him taking a volunteer post. I figured he would be great for customer service and he has since proved invaluable.
The story goes on that in the meantime it also struck me he was a bit of ladies man and women seemed to enjoy this harmless banter. One lady in particular, another one of our volunteers, a very sophisticated and classy lady. He would pop his head through the door on a Friday afternoon when he knew she would be working and say hello, she would glance away, coy all the while enjoying the attention.Time went by until one late afternoon he stood in the doorway with a bunch of flowers, I think they were a mixed spray but still rather lovely and fragrant. He presented her with the flowers accompanied with this usual cheeky grin and asked her out for a drink, she took no time in deciding and said yes immediately. The following day she came into work very happy and like a school girl after her first date and said he had been a gentleman.
Now they work together as a team two days a week, front of house helping customers, signing people up to gift aid, keeping the shop tidy, greeting customers and doing displays.
They are a real pleasure to work with, they really do make a difference to the shop! One thing I like to see is when they leave work I sometimes go outside and catch them walking down the street hand in hand and I’m so happy the shop helped two people find each other. It proves no matter your age or where you might find it, love is only around the corner!
Or in a shop for that matter!
You never know what you might find in a charity shop...
It is a sweet story in fact, a story that proves it’s never too late to find love.
A few years ago a gentleman of a mature age became a regular afternoon customer: a tall man, educated and a well of random information of stories and adventures. Anything you want to know he knows it, anything you want to do he's done it, anywhere you want to go he's going.
He would stand for a good hour or so while the shop evolved around him, he would start a conversation, you could walk away and come back and it would still be in progress which made for a very friendly and approachable man.
His time spent in the shop resulted in him taking a volunteer post. I figured he would be great for customer service and he has since proved invaluable.
The story goes on that in the meantime it also struck me he was a bit of ladies man and women seemed to enjoy this harmless banter. One lady in particular, another one of our volunteers, a very sophisticated and classy lady. He would pop his head through the door on a Friday afternoon when he knew she would be working and say hello, she would glance away, coy all the while enjoying the attention.Time went by until one late afternoon he stood in the doorway with a bunch of flowers, I think they were a mixed spray but still rather lovely and fragrant. He presented her with the flowers accompanied with this usual cheeky grin and asked her out for a drink, she took no time in deciding and said yes immediately. The following day she came into work very happy and like a school girl after her first date and said he had been a gentleman.
Now they work together as a team two days a week, front of house helping customers, signing people up to gift aid, keeping the shop tidy, greeting customers and doing displays.
They are a real pleasure to work with, they really do make a difference to the shop! One thing I like to see is when they leave work I sometimes go outside and catch them walking down the street hand in hand and I’m so happy the shop helped two people find each other. It proves no matter your age or where you might find it, love is only around the corner!
Or in a shop for that matter!
You never know what you might find in a charity shop...
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
World Autism Awareness Day 2013 Reprise
One thing I noticed this year which I have never noticed before and probably something to do with the “world” part of things is everyone is getting in on the act, celebrities spreading the word on Twitter, high profile people that have family and children with Autism are increasing awareness.
When I first started working for Autism Plus the charity was known, but mainly to families directly connected to Autism and the difference now is that everyone has heard of Autism and wants to learn more, I suppose you could say it’s gone global!
I am happy to announce we now sell funky pin badges in the shops and on Ebay to promote Autism Plus, pin one on to your Barbour jacket - it really adds to it.
A-U-T-I-S-M. Memorise it, learn a jingle whatever just know it.
For our part in Autism Awareness Day we recruited two charming volunteer helpers who we thanked with a bag of sweets.
With the help of one of our volunteers we organised an outdoor Tombola stall outside the market which the council were very nice in allowing us to do this at short notice because you need to have permission for these type of things you know.
They were helped by other volunteers and raised £100! Which is fantastic considering how cold and windy it was and they were situated in a tunnel area which wasn’t ideal. I did find it funny that a lady bought some tickets and won a fluorescent/glow in the dark cat collar - I have no idea why this was a prize and it really made me laugh because she didn’t have a cat but she took it anyway and said she would find a use for it? The mind boggles!
We ended the week by holding a cake stall inside the shop where a volunteer’s daughter made the most delicious rice krispie cakes and easter biscuits with mini eggs on them. (Easter was at the same time)
We also had gluten free buns, we found out lots of children who came into the shop had to have gluten free food products and one mum was really happy because her little girl misses out on lots of things, so loads of effort from the team and lots of smiley faces :)
It has been a positive year for the shop and going forward I hope it gets even better and people continue to support us.
Ps we now offer Loyalty cards for people that donate so get donating your old clothes and reap the rewards! Oh I do love stamping the cards!
When I first started working for Autism Plus the charity was known, but mainly to families directly connected to Autism and the difference now is that everyone has heard of Autism and wants to learn more, I suppose you could say it’s gone global!
I am happy to announce we now sell funky pin badges in the shops and on Ebay to promote Autism Plus, pin one on to your Barbour jacket - it really adds to it.
A-U-T-I-S-M. Memorise it, learn a jingle whatever just know it.
For our part in Autism Awareness Day we recruited two charming volunteer helpers who we thanked with a bag of sweets.
With the help of one of our volunteers we organised an outdoor Tombola stall outside the market which the council were very nice in allowing us to do this at short notice because you need to have permission for these type of things you know.
They were helped by other volunteers and raised £100! Which is fantastic considering how cold and windy it was and they were situated in a tunnel area which wasn’t ideal. I did find it funny that a lady bought some tickets and won a fluorescent/glow in the dark cat collar - I have no idea why this was a prize and it really made me laugh because she didn’t have a cat but she took it anyway and said she would find a use for it? The mind boggles!
We ended the week by holding a cake stall inside the shop where a volunteer’s daughter made the most delicious rice krispie cakes and easter biscuits with mini eggs on them. (Easter was at the same time)
We also had gluten free buns, we found out lots of children who came into the shop had to have gluten free food products and one mum was really happy because her little girl misses out on lots of things, so loads of effort from the team and lots of smiley faces :)
It has been a positive year for the shop and going forward I hope it gets even better and people continue to support us.
Ps we now offer Loyalty cards for people that donate so get donating your old clothes and reap the rewards! Oh I do love stamping the cards!
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Welcome back readers
First of all on behalf of everyone reading this I want to wish you a huge belated Happy New Year! Although we’re half way through it now so you may take it as premature Happy New Year for 2014!
In any case sorry I have taken my time in updating the blog, trust me lots has been going on and all very positive. Some of which I’ll share with you in the following weeks and I will try and dedicate myself to submitting more frequently and consistently.
We have all been REALLY busy! In the past year or so we have had a few new members to the team, a love story, introduction of GIFTAID, a new carpet, a visit from Viking FM & a re-tweet on Twitter from Jennifer Saunders - how cool is that?!
The power of Twitter it’s taking over the world. Did you know Autism Plus is on twitter? @autism_plus follow & spread the word! #wordup
We also recently had a successful Autism World Awareness day and as that was my last blog topic before my one year hiatus, so it is fitting to start it back on that! Oh and I promised you a love story I will get to that soon........Stay tuned!
Monday, 2 April 2012
Autism Awareness Day, are you aware?
Monday 2nd April is a very special day. Very special indeed for it is national Autism Awareness Day and this is celebrated throughout all of the world. It is a time to celebrate the stories and triumphs of people living with autism across the whole spectrum as well as creating awareness of everything that it means to be autistic and also on how YOU can help make a difference. One of the best ways you can do this is just to learn and understand which is one of the focal points of having this special event.
We are doing a local collection fundraising morning at our local Morrisons superstore so a huge thanks to them for allowing us to do this! Also on the 21st April there is going to be an outdoor Tombola in Goole by the Junction Cinema/Market store raising money for this event so pop down and have a go! We have been saving some nice little prizes for this day and thanks to Goole council for allowing us to have this stall!
Recently lots of people are selling there bags of clothes to wholesalers and rogue business traders for small amounts of cash based upon weight, this is having a SERIOUS impact on charity shops and most definitely ours, stock donated over the door is swiftly falling in numbers and in no doubt related to this in some way. Please please I urge you to donate your clothes, bric a brac, DVDS, CD’s and anything else you can think of would be greatly appreciated in your local Autism Plus retail shop, please see the website for more information on how and where you can donate.
We also have a facebook page and a twitter page so become friends and follow! It makes the world go around, Happy Autism Awareness day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2/4/12 be there.
Friday, 10 February 2012
Mona Lisa edit
We had an idea the other day. Well I had seen it in a high street retailer in York where they used an old painting in an easel and in bright pink paint painted over it with “spring stock NEW ARRIVALS” I thought it was brilliant. It was an old landscape scene with trees and sheep you know the normal.
Can I just add I in no way endorse graffiti but once on a trip to Rome whilst taking an evening stroll with a guide one of the other visitors pointed out the graffiti on the city walls and asked why they didn’t remove it, the guide simply replied in a swish Italian accent “We look at it as art”. Enough said.
But I wonder if Leonardo would object to someone sprawling “Free buns with every cuppa” across the Mona Lisa leant against a makeshift cafe outside the Louvre. Then again she has survived being shot at.
We had an old print in the shop in a tatty frame. We checked it for value etc plus it was damaged so we used some orange paint and painted in bright colours VINTAGE.
We have placed it on a shelf above our vintage clothes section - it does look very effective but has been met with mixed response and an occasional gasp but overall it’s positive. I look at it as creativity and modern thinking and actually this sort of thing has been done for years I remember seeing an artist painting a scene in a very large flagship Topman store.
Vintage clothing as I have said before do generate a lot of interest and if you create a section dedicated to it you attract a whole new shopper without compromising the integrity of the rest of the shop.
I have been to vintage fares in the past and let me tell you there is a lot of money spent! The last time I went to one they had two 1950s pin up girls with a basket of candy floss and a DJ spinning vintage war time tracks mixed with contemporary dub step. Great atmosphere – not saying I am going to start blasting out dirty bass beats featuring the velvet tones of Vera Lynn belting “We’ll meet again” ....
I don’t think so Autism Plus shoppers you have been saved!
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