Sylvia Wills, a volunteer in her late 70s at the Oxfam Rosemount Viaduct shop in Aberdeen, is very modest about her achievements. Though her manager Jan will tell you the shop wouldn’t run without her.
Three decades ago, she was looking for a change in scenery, new people to talk to. But what has kept her here all these years?
“I enjoy it. It gets me out of weeding the garden” she laughs.
The impact
Her impact on the shop is almost as large as her impact on the people around her.
“Sylvia takes care of all SBO (Sourced by Oxfam) and food. She has done since we started around 24 years ago.
It is almost like a shop within a shop. Sylvia solely manages everything from, receiving and checking goods, pricing, merchandising, managing breakages and short dates to the stock takes” says Jan.
Sourced by Oxfam is a carefully selected range of new, ethically produced, sustainable items sold in store. It ranges from home wear to clothing and food.
The community
But what makes her special is her place in the community. Sylvia is not only loved by the people she works with, but by the customers as well.
“Everybody knows Sylvia,” says Jan, “She is always cheery and pleased to see people, she’s chatty and has a really nice dry sense of humour.”
She has become someone staff and other volunteers look up to, helping many people in their own volunteering journeys.
“Sylvia is very patient and is a good listener, so that’s always good when you’re working with new people. She takes the time to get to know people,” Jan reflects.
Sylvia’s advice
Her work at Oxfam has taught Sylvia many things over the years, which she is keen to share with new volunteers,
“Ask for help if you need it. And if you get into a mess on the tills, get someone to come and help you out” she laughs.
Sylvia reflects on the many people she has met over the years, saying volunteering has taught her “not to pre-judge anyone”.
Continuing the journey
“Our Sylvia really is our shop star!” says Jan, who has no doubt that after her own upcoming retirement, Sylvia will reliably help keep the shop going.
If you’d like to volunteer in your local Oxfam shop in Scotland, we’d love to welcome you.
By volunteering, you become part of a community that gives back, just as Sylvia has done for decades.
