Meeting a Love to Tidy charity shop volunteer.

Continuing our celebrations of Volunteers’ Week from 1-7 June, we’re giving you a sneak preview of some of the voluntary roles available with Cats Protection.

Fifteen-year-old Samanta Razbadsuskaite volunteers for our charity shop in Penwortham, Lancashire. She’s in one of the more creatively named roles of ‘Love to Tidy’ and helps to keep the shop and stockroom clean and organised.

Samanta began the role in February and donates 90 minutes of her time a week after school.

“A typical day includes making sure that everything on the shop floor is aesthetically pleasing for the customers as well as making sure that the stockroom is organised,” she says. “I also talk to customers if they need help making sure that their needs are catered for. Recently I participated in training to help build my confidence and esteem when dealing with customers and improve customer service.

“This role also contributes to my Duke of Edinburgh enrolment, improving my communication skills and organisation. My D of E enrolment has not finished but I am staying on as a volunteer beyond the enrolment stage because I love volunteering with Cats Protection.”

Samanta was attracted to the voluntary role because of her love for cats and has made many friends in the process.

“Everyone is really friendly, the staff are great and very welcoming. The training is top notch and the atmosphere is great!”

Thanks to the dedication of our 10,000 volunteers across the UK, we’re able to help around 200,000 cats and kittens a year.

Do you love cats and fancy learning a new skill? Find the perfect volunteering opportunity for you at https://www.cats.org.uk/support-us/get-involved-volunteering