Part of the team
Dan Best, 39, has Down Syndrome and has been volunteering at the Saltash charity shop part-time for ten years. He likes steaming and hanging clothes ready for the shop floor, making tea and hoovering, but his favourite job is putting the rubbish out.
“I’m getting much better at doing everything. Everyone here is very polite and kind and they help me out a lot. Hayley is lovely and it’s a good place to work. I am part of the team here,” he said.
Meanwhile, Luke Fennell, 25, is another St Luke’s veteran after clocking up seven years of volunteering at Saltash. He comes in five times a week and has become the shop’s DVD expert, in charge of what makes it to the shop floor display.
“I check the DVDs have no scratches on them,” said Luke, whose own favourites are Marvel movies. “The best thing is my team. I love coming here to help out, and I like putting out the rubbish when Dan isn’t here.”
Dan and Luke are just two of the regular volunteers whose additional needs are no barrier to them being an integral part of the St Luke’s team. Hayley, backed up by assistant manager Colleen May, feels it’s important to give them the opportunity to flourish and have good working experiences.