Little Havens Hospice Appeals for Volunteers in Maldon to Support Vital Care Services
Little Havens Children's Hospice has issued an urgent appeal for volunteers to join its charity shop team in Maldon, Essex. This shop is a crucial component of Havens Hospices, a charity dedicated to providing expert and compassionate care for babies, children, and young people living with incurable and complex conditions across the county. The care is delivered both in families' own homes and at the hospice itself, ensuring comprehensive support for those in need.
Fundraising Impact and Volunteer Roles
All funds generated through the Maldon shop go directly towards the nursing, therapies, and family support services that Little Havens offers to families throughout Essex. The charity is currently seeking volunteers for two key roles to help sustain these essential services.
First, in-store volunteers are needed to assist on Sundays. Their duties include sorting and pricing donations, steaming and rotating stock, restocking shelves, performing light cleaning tasks, and operating the till. Second, the shop is looking for eBay volunteers to support its online sales operation. This role involves fulfilling online orders, packing and labelling parcels for dispatch, and taking smartphone photographs of items for listings.
Importantly, no previous experience is necessary for either position, as full training and support are provided by the charity. This makes it an accessible opportunity for anyone looking to contribute to a meaningful cause.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities: Mystery Shoppers
Beyond the shop roles, Little Havens is also recruiting mystery shopper volunteers across mid Essex. These volunteers will visit shops anonymously and complete a short questionnaire to provide honest, confidential feedback on the customer experience. This initiative helps the charity maintain high standards and improve its services for the community.
Personal Testimony from a Dedicated Volunteer
Sue Glover, a local resident who has been volunteering at the Maldon shop since it opened 18 months ago, shared her inspiring story. After retiring, she visited the shop on its opening day and was encouraged to consider volunteering. Sue said, "My husband suggested it as I'd recently retired and was looking for something to do. Since then, it's become a really important part of my week."
A visit to Little Havens itself gave Sue a clearer understanding of the care provided. She added, "It was very humbling to visit the hospice and see the incredible work being done there. It really shows where the money goes and why every little bit helps. A friend's granddaughter has used Little Havens, and it makes you realise you never know who might need that support. It makes it all feel very real."
Sue hopes others will consider giving their time, stating, "The care from the hospice means so much to families, and all it asks from us is to give up a few hours of our time each week. We all play a small part in helping the hospice, and it's a really special thing to be part of."
Financial Dependence on Community Support
The charity receives only a small proportion of its income from the government and relies significantly on fundraising and voluntary income, including revenue from its charity shops, to provide its services. This underscores the critical role that volunteers play in ensuring the continuity of care for vulnerable children and their families.
Mark Davies, head of trading at Havens Hospices, emphasized the importance of volunteer contributions. He said, "Our Maldon shop has become a genuinely valued part of the local community, and that is largely down to the people who give their time to keep it running. We depend on volunteers to help us raise the funds that make a real difference to the families we care for - every person who joins us makes a direct contribution to that care. Whether you are interested in our Sunday in-store role or supporting our eBay operation, we would love to hear from you."
Individuals interested in getting involved or learning more about these volunteering opportunities are encouraged to visit the Havens Hospices website for further details. The shop is located in Maldon, Essex, serving as a hub for community support and charitable giving.
