Sue Gowland

Volunteer Shop Assistant

Sue volunteers in our Newton Abbot shop where her daughter Kathy is the manager. Sue started volunteering seven years ago and works there one day a week. She is one of many volunteers helping with a variety of tasks in the shop throughout the week. Her main responsibilities are working the till, sorting through donations, checking for Gift Aid, steaming clothes, sorting through storage boxes and putting items out on display, cleaning and pricing. There are also several students and young people who do placements in the shop and she has supported them over the years.

Sue first heard about Dame Hannahs when visiting Kathy in Ivybridge where she regularly saw our young adults out and about. She had also visited several of our shops and attended our Christmas Fayres. Kathy volunteered in the shop for two years before becoming manager in 2015. Sue decided that she wanted to help Kathy and was motivated by the fantastic work carried out at Dame Hannahs. Her grandson Zach also volunteers for Dame Hannahs in the warehouse.

Sue and her husband Brian have lived in Jennycliffe for 20 years. Sue was born in Plymouth where she met Brian. They married in 1971 and had two daughters. When Sue is not working she enjoys gardening, dog walking with her lurcher Poppy and seeing her daughters and friends.

Before Dame Hannahs Sue had many jobs, mainly with children. Brian was in the Forces for many years so they moved around the world, including Germany and Hong Kong where she taught English to Chinese children. She worked in several nurseries and kindergartens having achieved a qualification in teaching small children. When Brian left the Forces they moved to Corsham near Bath and then Plymouth where she worked at the Job Centres.

“I love coming to the shop, talking to people and building up relationships with regular customers and other volunteers. I work with lovely people and I love hearing the customers enthuse about our products and prices. I feel a sense of satisfaction and achievement after a day’s work and seeing the results. It is really rewarding coming to work, seeing people, keeping motivated and having a routine. I love visiting Dame Hannahs in Ivybridge and it is great to see where the shop takings are going and also seeing other fundraising projects and events and how much they raise. All the staff at Dame Hannahs do such a fantastic job. Where would the young adults be without them? Everyone tells me that I am very approachable. I love chatting to people and am always happy to give a hug.”