Would you volunteer to work in a charity shop?

[LumpSatAlone]

Would you volunteer to work in a charity shop just now?
I am due to start back on monday after lockdown, i was all up for going back but since telling friends they said they are shocked I'd be going back as im putting myself at risk!
I'd be in the back shop, sorting donations, tagging and steaming items to go out to the front of shop.
Would i really be more at risk working there than i would a normal retail shop?

Yes I would. Presumably you will wear a mask / visor when you are serving customers, donations will have been quarantined and the virus doesn't live on surfaces as long as previously thought anyway.

Yes I would. Wouldn’t bother me.

Why is it any worse risk than other jobs? Charity sector is really struggling for funding now and needs their shops open.

I absolutely would yes

Depends how well ventilated the space at the back of the shop is.
I don’t think sorting donations is inherently risky. But some shops have a very cramped area at the back which could easily become a transmission risk.

Were you previously shielding?

Yes I would /have. I'm dealing with customers though.

It is probably safer than the job I'm doing.( supporting young people and their famliesl) if volunteering in a charity shop was my thing, yes I would do it.
I'd be taking reasonable and expected precautions of course.

I should do more volunteering. OP has inspired me.
Shop is fine, other places fine too.

No i wasn't shielding, the shop has just re-opened after lockdown.
I was and still am really up for doing it, just started to doubt myself after hearing the opinions of friends.

I have and will probably do again before all this is over. If your charity shop is doing what they should be doing, donations will be quarantined before you sort them and they will have based the number of volunteers in at any one time on how much space they have. Just wrap up warm - unless you're in a fancy modern building with mechanical ventilation there will be windows and/or doors open all day.

I wonder if said friends use charity shops themselves, or expect to be able to donate to them?

I don’t think it’s a particularly lethal thing to do.

I wouldn’t volunteer to work in a charity shop, not because of Covid risk but because I don’t have the patience. I volunteered in a care home pre-lockdown and would be back in if visits were allowed.

I volunteer in a school for a few hours once a week.
It's very rewarding and life has to go on.
I'm not particularly vulnerable, but I haven't had Covid yet.

get an old fashioned overall or apron or a baggy shirt & wear it on top of your clothes use gel on hands & wash hands several times a day & wear a mask if that makes you feel safer & that should help towards keeping your clothes & you clean

Try and keep the doors or windows open for ventilation too?

I'm a paid worker in a charity shop which reopened in July. We have masks, gloves, plastic aprons, antibac sprays and gel. Touch points (computers, till, light switches etc.) are cleaned regularly and the shop gets a thorough clean every night, we are quarantining donations for 72 hours and limiting the times we accept donations and the number we will take.

I feel safe at work and would feel even safer if I was in the back and not interacting with customers. You should complete a Covid return to work assessment when you return, mostly just info about symptoms etc. There should also be a shop risk assessment which you could ask to see,

The perception of risk is really getting out of hand for some people. And I bet they are the very people who want to clear out unwanted stuff too, and moan that nobody will take it.....

Given that you are not shielding or particularly vulnerable, please go back as they will really need you now. As others said, keep the area ventilated, wear gloves for checking through bags (I would normally!), and use hand gel when you're not. An overall/housecoat type thing would be good too.

All charity shops here are quarantining donations for a week before sorting anyway.

I think it is great that you volunteer in a charity shop. Well done! :)

I'd do it. I was slightly anxious about returning to my job but if anything, it's done wonders for my mental heath. I just think now we could catch it anywhere; myself and DH could get Covid from work, the supermarket, the local shop, family members.

If you're happy to do it, do it! :)

I was about to volunteer in a charity shop in my town when the pandemic struck, the shop has been closed ever since. I would not do it now as I am vulnerable. If there is a vaccine I will do it then, they will need all the help they can get (if they are still in business when this is all over)!

Yes. My local one now has the front door open all day so it doesn't get stuffy ( it used to be always way too hot ) & a higher germ transmission risk. And they're wearing masks,gloves etc & limiting how many people allowed in & you have to be masked.

Provided they are taking all the safety measures, I’d definitely do it.

I volunteer in a charity shop and went back in August.
All donations are isolated for three days before we sort and obviously we wear gloves and masks and keep a window open.
It’s been fine and I’m not at all worried although I’m not high risk.