Jack Donnan, Clydebank Distribution Centre, Scotland

Jack has only been volunteering for 19 months, but has already given over 1,000 hours, balancing his volunteering with his studies at college and rehearsals for frequent stage productions. He has a permanently upbeat demeanour and has accrued more and more responsibilities in store including operating the till, assisting with stocktakes and helping to manage the distribution of stock to other stores in the area. Jack is a wonderful influence on the other volunteers in store, helping to train new volunteers who have come through the same college scheme that brought him to volunteering. His confidence on the tills is especially noteworthy, he never fails to ask the necessary questions to customers to encourage them to round-up their purchases and donate more. This helps to secure additional fundraising for Barnardo’s and is above and beyond the expected role of a volunteer. 

Maddie Wall

Maddie is always willing to help, even volunteering between doing her 2 part time jobs and her schooling. She has the perfect ‘can-do’ attitude and is always smiling and inspires others with her great work ethic and her passion for pre-loved items, from clothing to cups and saucers. At the beginning of 2022, Maddie organised a fundraising event at the store where she ‘Braved the Shave’ and raised over £3,000 for Barnardo’s by shaving off her hair. She advertised the event in the town and on social media to gather donations, with the shops as the focal point throughout. Maddie volunteers any spare time she has and has also recommended others to volunteer, sharing the positive experience she has gained focussing on positive futures.

Rachel Webster

Rachel is a crucial member of the weekend team at the Stockbridge store in Edinburgh, where she has shown excellent leadership skills. She goes above and beyond every week, helping new volunteers to learn the store’s processes and acting as a point of information and guidance. She uses her initiative to prioritise tasks in the store to make sure everything runs smoothly. Rachel has the customer service skills of a true professional and, despite being one of the stores younger volunteers, she has made herself a central and important member of the team over the past three years. Thanks to her contributions, Sundays have become one of the store’s most profitable days and the store is one of the most profitable in Scotland as a whole. Rachel started in the role as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award, but has continued her commitment to the store even after achieving this. She has given hundreds of hours to the store, alongside her studies, showing a level of commitment that the store are extremely grateful for. 

This Year’s Region Winners are:

• Chloe Faragher
• Jade Kerrison

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.