Just weeks after retiring last year after 23 years of working at the University of Otago, Trish Didham began volunteering at Shop ’n Taieri.
A reason for volunteering at the Mosgiel op-shop was it gave her the opportunity to continue meeting new people, including customers and fellow volunteers, Mrs Didham said.
‘We have a lot of laughs and it’s relaxing ... I’m a talker — I love talking."
Her duties during her four hours at the shop on Thursdays included completing sales and pricing goods.
Most of the stock in the shop was of a "high level", but she was surprised a market existed for some of "awful ornaments or wall hangings" which were donated.
"You think ‘good grief’ and then someone comes in and buys them."
She was thankful for having time to give something back to her community.
Money spent in the store was given to community groups via the Saddle Hill Foundation Trust.
She encouraged anyone thinking of volunteering in the shop to do so.
"You get a lot of personal satisfaction out of it."
