This week we popped in to the Age UK Surrey Vintage Store in Haslemere. Nestled on the corner just along from Ben’s Ice cream (and roughly opposite the Esso garage), four of their volunteers – Annie, Susan, Sheena and Susan - were deservedly awarded Haslemere Volunteer Awards back in March 2026. We wanted to find out more about what motivates them to give up their time.

First and foremost, we asked the Store Manager, Charlotte, to tell us a bit more about the store. She said, ‘Age UK Surrey Vintage Store is a charity that strives to help the Haslemere community in this cost-of-living crisis by providing pre-loved items at a good price. We believe we are an important part of the community, and we have a lot of regular customers that we have got to know well. We give back to the community as much as we can.’

When working within the shop, there is clearly always lots to do. For a start, with up to 100 donations per day, they are constantly sorting through bags that have been dropped off in store, culling and restocking daily, and ensuring that there is something new to discover on their shelves. All items are tagged and hung, and every item of clothing that goes out on the shop floor is steamed. Not only that, they need to clean the shop as best they can and there are many more jobs that need doing as they are open seven days a week. Charlotte told us that, all this is made possible by, ‘A great team of staff and volunteers at the shop.’

Whilst the Store Manager role is a paid position, Charlotte actually started off by volunteering at Age UK Surrey twice a week. She described herself as being at a ‘crossroads’ in her life and wanted to give something back to the community. It was only when an opportunity arose for her to apply to be the manager that she took it and was successful. That was two and a half years ago now and she has clearly not looked back. ‘I absolutely love my role as the manager in the shop. I have become well known in the Haslemere community and have got to know so many people which I love. I enjoy working with a stellar team who really work hard to give back to their community. We all get on extremely well and I love the camaraderie we all share. It really has been life changing for me and I am truly grateful to Age UK Surrey for giving me this amazing opportunity,’ she said.

The Assistant Manager, Sarah, also started volunteering at the Age UK Surrey Vintage Store at a similar time to Charlotte, back in October 2023. Back then, after raising her boys as a single Mum and working as a nanny, she wanted to explore a different career path. She had never worked in a shop before but was tempted to dip her toe into retail through volunteering. So, one day she plucked up the courage to enquire about helping in store. ‘I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I do,’ she told us.  But she was clearly a natural. As with Sarah, the volunteering role again led to the offer of a paid position in store. Within five months she was promoted to Sunday Assistant. The following month she successfully applied to become the Assistant Manager.

At This is Haslemere, we are big advocates for volunteering for so many reasons. However, one important factor can be the work experience it provides. Whilst arguably not many volunteering roles lead to paid positions in the way that they have materialised for Charlotte and Sarah, volunteering can definitely give people valuable work experience, building up crucial skills that employers want to see.

It's clear that Sarah retains the same passion for her role as she did when she volunteered there for the first time back in 2023. ‘I have continued loving my position, doing my bit to support our wonderful community of Haslemere. I have loved forming a great team and getting to know our regular customers, even furry ones that pop in for a treat. I enjoy creating displays, which I often share on our Facebook page and get lots of compliments for.  I also love recruiting new volunteers. We have such fun. Although it is a very physical job, it’s also a very rewarding position.  I have made lifelong friends, it has boosted my confidence and wellbeing and I highly encourage anyone that is thinking of volunteering, please do think of us.’

Suffice to say, if you’re reading this and thinking you may like to start volunteering within the community, we can’t encourage you enough to head into the Age UK Surrey Vintage store. They do have a great team, but they do always need more volunteers to ensure that they can continue to help the community as they do.

If you needed even more reassurance that popping in and offering your time is a good idea, what was quickly apparent from our visit is what an incredibly close-knit team the volunteers are at the Age UK Surrey Vintage Store. In fact, I think you can feel the camaraderie as soon as you walk into store – the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming even before you have spoken to someone.

But, perhaps hearing from some of the other volunteers at the Age UK Surrey Vintage Store might sway you to join them.  They all clearly feel the same way.

Jenny told us, ‘ I volunteer because I enjoy it and Charlotte and Sarah are nice people to work with,’ whilst Sue gives up her time, ‘I enjoy the company of staff and customers alike, whilst at the same time feeling of some use to the community at large. There is a great feeling of togetherness and friendship.’ 

Likewise, Jacki speaks very highly of the management team in store. She enjoys volunteering at the shop, ‘Because it's a fun place to be. I feel like I'm being useful and Charlotte and Sarah are appreciative of the time you give .’

Tracy said, ‘Volunteering at Age UK Surrey has allowed me to learn new skills in retail whilst supporting sustainability. The team at Age UK are welcoming and friendly and it is a fun environment to work in. Volunteering is a great way to feel part of the community and support a charity that helps older people in our area.’

And similarly, Silvia told us, ‘I decided to volunteer because I wanted to give something back to the community and use my time in a positive way. I enjoy meeting new people, working as part of a team, and knowing that I’m making a difference, even in small ways. The shop has a really friendly atmosphere, and it’s a pleasure to be part of such a supportive team.’

Whilst most of their volunteers are women, they do have some male volunteers too. Anthony told us that he volunteers at Age UK Surrey in Haslemere for a few reasons. ‘At first, it was simple — doing good for goodness’ sake, and also simply because I can. It helps that my company is part of the B Corp movement, which encourages employers to enable employees to spend paid time volunteering. What I’ve seen since volunteering is just how multi-faceted the good that charity shops like Age UK Surrey is. They raise money for charity, act as a very pure form of recycling, provide affordable goods, and quietly serve as a community hub — with regular customers who come in as much for a chat as anything else. Finally, certainly at Age UK Surrey Haslemere, the shop team itself is a community: fun, friendly, social, proactive, and all contributing to something genuinely positive.’

If you have some time on your hands and are tempted to volunteer, Charlotte, Sarah and the team would love to hear from you. The store is open 7 days a week, from 9.30 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon Monday to Saturday and from 11 until 4 on Sundays. Alternatively, drop them an email at haslemere@ageuksurrey.org.uk or give them a call on 01428 289030.