Lost my confidence !

[Kittenchops]

Hi.
I retired in 2012, after 47 years in a high stress career, chef.
Loving retirement, and although I'm 72 something is missing.
Got a loving husband of 50 years, amazing family who I really love, so no problems really.
A charity, that I'm passionate about, a local cats shelter has opened a charity shop 5 minutes walk from my house.
I would love to volunteer one or two morning a week, but am finding it really hard to just do it !
I keep doubting myself.
Anyone care to share their experiences of working in a charity shop, and hopefully give me the push to do it
Thank you.😸

Not a charity shop but I volunteered in a homeless shelter when I was at a low point in my life. Won't say what caused it as don't want to de rail the thread but basically had lost all my confidence due to grief.
It helped me so much as I realised the homeless people had such difficult lives. It stopped me wallowing. I wasn't feeling very social so didn't really make friends with the other volunteers but could have done if I was feeling up to it. A lot of volunteers are interesting people so good to talk to. The service users were great too. Some real characters.
It was a positive in my life at a dark time and makes me smile now due to some of the funny things that happened there. I've always really cared about homeless people or people suffering with addiction issues as my dad was an alcoholic so it means a lot to me to treat people with dignity and respect.
Sorry if my answer is not that relevant as the circumstances were different but I really recommend a homeless shelter.

Oh my gosh OP do it! I volunteer baking birthday cakes for children in need (I run my local group) and I volunteer in a church cafe (not that I go to church there) it’s such a lovely community and does so much for families and older people in the community. I absolutely love both roles - it’s the luxury of being retired, you can kind of choose a dream job that links to a hobby you have.
It’s always difficult making that first step, but if it’s a work situation you’ll be busy being shown how to do things so there’ll be no need to worry too much about how to make small talk.
My life has been massively enriched by this and I’ve made new friends. So many organisations need volunteers there’ll be lots of places local to you I’m sure. Quick Google search to find some contacts and just email to ask what’s available. You absolutely won’t regret it!

Can you break it down into smaller stages?
First, go and donate something
Then go and buy something.
See if the volunteers are friendly when you do these two things.
If so, ask a bit about volunteering and find out if they need any new people.

Lots of new things are scary at first and then not at all intimidating once they are familiar.

Thank you so much Daisy, so kind of you to reply.
I'm so sorry you went through this, and hope you are in a better place in your life now.It sounded like a wonderful place to work.I hope it helped you.
I should add, I am a woman, we were all called chefs in our workplace.Not that that is at all relevant.!
I worked at their shelter 20 years ago cleaning , feeding and playing with the kittens, absolutely loved it.
Then I had glandular fever really badly, had a month off work and lost my placement, life got in the way etc.
I have an application form but it's still sitting there.
The daft thing is they have a months trial, no hard feelings either way of it doesn't work out.

Thank you SonsongSu for your suggestions.
You're right, I agree.
I keep thinking, what if I don't get on with people, what about working the till, silly things really !.
The funny thing I was deputy head chef, used to thinking on my feet, so I'm puzzled why I feel like that.
I left Yorkshire to work in Cambridge as head chef in a private school, knew no one,so why can't I work in a local shop.

Why don’t you bake a cake for the shop. Take it in and stop and chat to the current volunteers.

See how you feel, but offer to work behind the scenes initially, so you don’t have to talk to the customers, and build from there.

Good luck xx

I'm 71 and I've been volunteering for nearly a year. GO FOR IT! It's absolutely given me a new lease of life. I've got my confidence back made a load of new friends met customers who are interesting funny and awesome.
We go out together celebrate stuff, the list goes on.
You won't regret it so it tomorrow.

Thanks Amaryllis.
Some great suggestions, i'm always in the shop anyway, donate nearly every week, have been down there 3 times this week.They have started to recognise me now.Maybe it's helping me to feel more comfortable.😸
It's very frustrating I'm going to do it !!
Love Mumsnet.Thanks all 😍

OP

You are one salt of the earth person

Re charity shop - please volunteer only with a shop that has been around for a long time and is well respected and well documented as donating a very high percentage of the turnover to the good cause/s. (I lost my trust in many charities when I read about their expenses)

You could contact Age Concern and volunteer to visit lonely, older people who have lost family/friends and are often stuck in their homes. There are many very lonely people out there especially older ones that cant use the net and have no family friends left.

good luck

Oh what a great idea.I love baking, used to regularly make 200 scones a day and 20 Christmas cakes every year for our students, Uni halls of residence.
Thats a really good suggestion sort of an ice breaker.
I go to all their open days and fund raise gor them I sound barmy don't I 😹.

Thanks neilyoung is my hero.
What a fantastic post, thank you so much.
I'm glad you enjoy it.

Thank you distinguished.
The funny thing is I'm really friendly and chatty, so hopefully that will get me over the first few times.
Luckily this lovely charity has been around since 1897, and they fight for every penny.Those poor cats mean the world to me.
The shops have been active and successful for about 20 years.Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks all, I will sort it tomorrow, and report back x

Hi Mumsnet friends.
Thankyou for your messages.You gave me the confidence to fill in the form and take it in to the shop.
They were so lovely and welcoming.I have to a do a trial shift in a couple of weeks
So excited, Cloud 9
😹💖💐

Yeah! Go you. Well done

Thank you Bright Light Tonight, it took a bit of courage !!
I haven't stopped smiling yet 😸

I'm in for a training day on the 20th.
Then 2 afternoons a week, total 8 hours Wish me luck ! 😸

Good Luck!

I love a happy ending.

Thank you Amaryllis 😸

Yay bloody well done you. Fantastic news Enjoy

Thank you so much neilyoungismyhero.
Progress !
I had a text at 7am this morning, on the charity's Whatsapp, someone rang in sick
and they wondered if I was available.I'm glad it happened that way, as I didn't have time to feel nervous.
Worked 4 hours and absolutely loved it !
I promise this is a genuine post, it all sounds too easy I know.I passed the training and I am back in on Friday 😬
Thanks again💐

Such a lovely post 🥰. I wish more people volunteered - it’s so incredibly good for your mental health 🥰❤️

@Kittenchops aw that is a great ending to the thread. I'm glad it went so well. When you said high stress and chef I first thought education. I'm a chef in a grammar school and I find it exhausting most days. I'm glad you are enjoying your retirement, 47 years is some achievement!

Love this! Well done OP

This is one of the best threads ever ♥️