Volunteer with Barnardo’s in Rochdale and help turn children’s lives around

Children’s charity Barnardo’s

Children’s charity Barnardo’s is asking people in Heywood and Rochdale to come and volunteer in their friendly shops to help raise vital funds for disadvantaged children.

Barnardo’s shops are a crucial source of funding that the charity needs to run its children’s services for some of the region’s most vulnerable children, young people and families, and volunteers are key to the work of these stores.

Nigel Phillips, Area Business Manager for Barnardo’s said: “Volunteers are the backbone of our shops and we would not be able to do what we do without them.

“We know there will be people in Rochdale who are perhaps between jobs at the moment, or are perhaps students or retired, who are keen to make a difference and keep their skills sharp. Volunteering with Barnardo’s is a great way to do this and also to make new friends. It doesn’t have to be full time – we can be flexible and you would be fully trained.

“As well as helping to support vulnerable children in the region, volunteering in one of our shops can offer a number of development opportunities, so please bob into your local shop to find out more if this sounds of interest to you.”

A number of Barnardo’s shops can support volunteers to gain NVQ level 2 qualifications in retail and customer service. Those undertaking Duke of Edinburgh Awards can also fulfil the community element by volunteering at Barnardo’s stores.

In Rochdale, Barnardo’s runs a supported housing scheme for young women aged 16-21 who are pregnant or have a young baby, supporting these young mums to develop independent living skills and confidence and helping them to successfully make the transition to adulthood, parenthood and a permanent home.

Parents with disabled children in Rochdale are also supported by Barnardo’s through the provision of specialist parenting courses, one to one support and short breaks, and impartial advice is available for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Barnardo’s has friendly small teams in each of its retail shops and is currently looking for volunteers at the following stores:

• Collinge Street, Heywood (Barnardo’s children’s store) – 01706 361133
• Times Retail Park, Heywood (Barnardo’s discount store) – 01706 360161
• Market Street, Heywood - 01706 364039 
• Cutgate shopping centre, Edenfield Road, Rochdale – 01706 358833

If you can help by volunteering with Barnardo’s in any of its local stores, please contact the shops directly or visit Barnardo’s website www.barnardos.org.uk/volunteering