Mental health benefits of volunteering in charity shops revealed

Emotional support is a major factor for working in a charity shop, according to one in ten people.

The findings have been released to coincide with Volunteers Week (1-7 June) by mental health charity Mind, which also found that more than a quarter (26%) of people said they found charity shops to be “supportive and friendly communities”.

Around 3,000 volunteers work across Mind’s 160 strong network of shops.

Among its charity shop workers is Emma Jordan, who started as a volunteer two decades ago and now manages the charity’s Retford branch.

“When I first started volunteering with Mind, I had very little confidence and struggled in social situations,” she explains.

“I was 21 years old with barely any work experience, so the job centre suggested that I volunteer in a local charity shop. Without a doubt I would not be where I am today if I hadn't volunteered.

“I immediately felt valued and was able to be creative knowing that my input was going to make a real difference. Volunteering not only increased my knowledge and skills but also my confidence and self-worth.

“The thing I loved most about volunteering was undoubtedly the people. The staff and volunteers I worked with inspired, motivated and supported me. And no matter what was going on in our personal lives, the shop would become our sanctuary and our safe space.”

Mind’s retail director Andrew Vale added: “Volunteering is a great way to make new friends, build confidence and it can be a route back into work.

“We rely on volunteers to keep our shops running and to help us raise funds so that we can continue to support everyone experiencing a mental health problem.”

Research published last month by the Centre of Economics and Business Research found that people who donate and give up their time as volunteers are almost twice as likely to feel optimistic about the future and have better mental health than those who do neither.

    Share Story:

Recent Stories


Charity Times video Q&A: In conversation with Hilda Hayo, CEO of Dementia UK
Charity Times editor, Lauren Weymouth, is joined by Dementia UK CEO, Hilda Hayo to discuss why the charity receives such high workplace satisfaction results, what a positive working culture looks like and the importance of lived experience among staff. The pair talk about challenges facing the charity, the impact felt by the pandemic and how it's striving to overcome obstacles and continue to be a highly impactful organisation for anybody affected by dementia.
Charity Times Awards 2023

Mitigating risk and reducing claims
The cost-of-living crisis is impacting charities in a number of ways, including the risks they take. Endsleigh Insurance’s* senior risk management consultant Scott Crichton joins Charity Times to discuss the ramifications of prioritising certain types of risk over others, the financial implications risk can have if not managed properly, and tips for charities to help manage those risks.

* Coming soon… Howden, the new name for Endsleigh.