We need more people like Samuel

Samuel Parkinson first went into the Frankton Red Cross Shop as a volunteer 12 years ago, “I think I was at the point where, apart from looking for work, I had nothing else to do so I decided to volunteer.”

We have four shops in the Hamilton area – at Five Cross Roads, one in the centre of town, and two more in Frankton and East Hamilton. We currently need 77 more volunteers in the Hamilton area to support the work of the shops, which raise crucial funds for our work nationally and internationally.

Over the last 12 years Samuel has become an integral part of not only the Frankton team, but the Red Cross Shop crew across Hamilton. For the last two years he’s worked two paid days a week at the Tristram Street shop and has filled in whenever other shops need cover.

“I’ve learnt how to interact with people better, I’ve learnt new skills from how to process items that come into the shops, to helping others learn the ropes, as well as deliveries and collections,” he said.

Samuel has made the most of his time with the shops by completing his comprehensive first aid training through Red Cross, getting his Certificate in Retail through Service IQ, and becoming a qualified electrical tester.

Shop manager Sheryldeen McCollum said that Samuel is pretty much woven into the fabric of the shop at this stage. “Samuel has become a very valuable person in our team, and I go to him all the time for information. He has so much knowledge and he’s very willing to share it.”

Samuel’s biggest takeaway from volunteering is confidence, “it’s good for your wellbeing, it gives you a purpose, it can make a difference, you can grow your own personal skills, make new friends, there’s a whole lot.”

When Samuel goes to work in Tristram Street and elsewhere, Sheryldeen makes sure to remind him “your home is here in Frankton.”

About Red Cross Shops

There are more than 50 Red Cross Shops across the motu and every year they divert more than two million items from landfill. This is possible only with the help of volunteers from all walks of life who make the shops what they are.

“We have team members who are gender diverse, we have team members who are dyslexic, we have team members who have disabilities. It’s important that we make everyone feel included and valued,” said Sheryldeen.

If you have a few hours to spare each week, we’d love to hear from you.

More information

• Volunteer at a Red Cross Shop and support our work helping communities both here and overseas.
  Red Cross Shop volunteering 
• Find you local Red Cross Shop and support our mission by shopping with us.
  Red Cross Shop locations