Retail Volunteer Story – Luke

Building confidence through volunteering

Luke Hopkins volunteered at Great Western Air Ambulance Charity's (GWAAC) Cinderford shop from January to September 2024. Before stepping back from volunteering after securing a job, his journey shows how volunteering can help build confidence and develop new skills.

"I needed to find something to help me with my confidence"

Luke began volunteering shortly after the Cinderford shop opened in December 2023. Having taken time off from education, he was looking for a way to build his confidence and gain experience in the workplace. “When I started, I wasn’t very confident, and I needed to work out what to do in a work environment,” he explains. When he saw the opportunity to volunteer at GWAAC, he decided to give it a try.

Luke admitted he was initially unaware of what we do until he joined the team. Learning how GWAAC brings specialised pre-hospital care directly to the patient quickly resonated with him: “I thought, wow, this is a good opportunity to help out and save people’s lives.” Knowing that his contributions directly supported such a vital service in his local community made his work even more meaningful.

"Making friends and growing my skills"

One of the highlights of Luke’s experience at GWAAC is the connections he’s made with both customers and fellow volunteers: “I enjoy interacting with customers and helping them with what they need. It’s great making friends and being able to do a variety of things.” The supportive atmosphere in the shop made it a comfortable environment for Luke to thrive in and learn. 

As a volunteer, Luke’s role included till work, sorting donations, and ensuring the shop floor is tidy. Initially, he found working on the till challenging but gradually became more comfortable as he learned the ropes. “Once I learned how to use the till, I felt more confident focusing on customer service,” he recalls.

"Excited for the future"

Luke’s volunteering journey with GWAAC has given him the confidence to pursue new opportunities.

He started a new job at The Original Factory Shop on 23 September 2024.

Reflecting on his time at GWAAC, he says, “When I started, I was not really confident, but as the months progressed, I got better and found communicating easier. The skills I gained here have definitely helped me in my new job.”

If you’re inspired by Luke’s journey and want to make a difference yourself, why not volunteer at your local GWAAC shop? Your support will help us continue our lifesaving work.

To learn more about volunteering with GWAAC, visit our retail volunteering page or drop by your nearest GWAAC shop for a chat. Join us in making a difference in your local community today!