An Isle of Wight charity shop invited the County Press to see its day-to-day operations.
The NSPCC charity shop on Shooters Hill, Cowes, is at the heart of the community, serving customers since 1982.
It is one of only two NSPCC charity shops in the UK, the other being in Dyserth, Wales.
The Isle of Wight County Press is part of Newsquest, and the media organisation is supporting the NSPCC with editorial and publicity - so we asked if we could get some hands-on experience and find out more at our local shop.
The charity shop is looking for more volunteers, with a shift being no longer than a three and a half hours.
Manager Georgina Lucas took over the day to day running of the shop in 2021, with around 20 volunteers helping out with stocktaking and serving customers.
Georgina was keen to point out the community atmosphere on Shooters Hill, and how the charity shop has relationships with other businesses in close proximity.
She said: "Sometimes we get donated guitars, and I pass them on to the guitar shop down the road to value them, and they sometimes make a donation. We don't want to be in competition."
She added that their neighbours always help out, with other business owners helping by lifting heavy items when needed.
The charity shop is located in the old premises of Shergold's delicatessen, with the old entrance ways and some of the old interior features being maintained.
It became an antiques shop before the NSPCC set up in the building in the 1980s.
Volunteers work hard to maintain the flow of stock, reducing items that have been on the shelves for a while to ensure that sales can keep up with donations.
A steady flow of customers come in throughout the day, making it a popular place to go.
Georgina said: "People come down on their lunch breaks, looking for a bargain."
She also mentioned that high value and sought after items are sometimes donated, and are sold nearly as quickly as they can be stickered.
The shop is looking for more men's items of clothing.
County Press editor Lori Little said: "Thanks go to the shop staff and volunteers who welcomed our reporter Alex Cooper along for the day.
"It was a great experience for Alex to get stuck in and volunteer, strengthening the ties between Newsquest and the NSPCC, but also with this article helping to shine a light on the shop, which does so much good in our community."
In 2023/24, 49,838 primary school children across 188 schools took part in the Speak Out, Stay Safe initiative, helping children identify trusted and safe adults they can speak to if they have concerns.
The NSPCC made 1,240 referrals in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to local agencies, such as the police and children’s services.
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