Robert McNair

Robert is a volunteer in the Newton Mearns kids store in Scotland, starting from the day he turned 14. When he first started as a volunteer, he was shy, but it did not take him long to come out of his shell and he soon took over running the entertainment section. He is an excellent team player and is extremely motivated to do the best he can for Barnardo’s. Robert is using his volunteering time towards achieving his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and his role has also helped him improve his organisational skills. When lockdown came into place, Robert was determined to remain focussed and continue his dedication to Barnardo’s while the shop was closed. He organised a fundraising event at his school, running the equivalent of a marathon on a treadmill and raised over £2,000. 

This year’s Regional Winners are:

• – Stephan Jones 
• – Filipe Silva Pereira 
• – Lorina Gladin 

Daniel

Daniel started volunteering at the Chester Barnardo’s store in May 2018 through his involvement with Total People, an organisation which helps young people finish their education. Daniel initially had a support worker and travel escort with him while he was volunteering, but has grown in confidence and now volunteers independently. He suffers from speech, language and communication issues among other difficulties, but has proven himself able to complete a number of tasks and complete his placement with Total People to become an unsupported volunteer. Daniel is learning to use the till and has become a highly valued member of the team. His ultimate goal is to gain employment, and his time volunteering in store is helping him to gain the skills he will need and the confidence to become more independent.

This year’s Regional Winners are:

• Northern Ireland – Olivia
• Wales – Sophie
• Derbyshire – Jennifer

Angie

Angie is an invaluable volunteer at the Barnardo’s shop in Derby. Previous retail employers had been reluctant to take her on due to her disability and so she was anxious and shy when she first joined the store. Angie has greatly grown in confidence and has provided vital assistance on the shop floor where she interacts with customers and in the stockroom. She continues to grow in her role and is currently training to become a retail supervisor level volunteer.

This year’s Regional Winners are:
– Dara – Newtownards
– Natasha – Chichester
– Olivia – Lee Road

Aimee

Aimee began volunteering at the Cardiff Barnardo’s store in 2013 and gives her time 3 days a week, steadily growing in confidence and overcoming her own learning difficulties. She is now able to open the store on her own and is a capable team member, but also happy to work independently if necessary. Aimee fully supports any fundraising events that the shop holds and attended the Barnardo’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. She is very creative, engaging and enthusiastic and is an asset to the volunteering team at the store.

Joanne

Joanne has been volunteering at the Bonnybridge Barnardo’s store in Falkirk, Scotland and recently became a volunteer key holder. She has built up an excellent rapport with local customers, especially the children who visit the shop.

Joanne stepped up to the plate to keep the store open every Sunday for four months when a staff member couldn’t work. This saved Barnardo’s a great deal in wages and travel costs which they would have otherwise incurred.

Devon

17-year-old Devon volunteers at the Cowley Road Barnardo’s Store in Oxford. She is hard working, polite and never misses a day of her volunteering. Since starting as a volunteer, Devon has displayed great personal development and has become more confident and independent in her role at the store, wearing her Barnardo’s uniform with pride and contributing a great deal to her role.

Jonathan

Jonathan began volunteering with Barnardo’s in 2012 as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme. Even though he has now completed the scheme, he has remained a committed volunteer, continuing to work and raise funds and awareness for Barnardo’s.