Three of our wonderful volunteers – Vicky from Sri Lanka, and Liubov and Viktoriia from Ukraine, are volunteers at our charity superstore on Robin Retail Park. Here, they tell us how their volunteering roles have supported them to not only develop their English language skills, but to make friends in their local area too.
A new opportunity
Viktoriia from Ukraine begins:
“I saw the advertisement to become a volunteer at the new charity superstore at Robin Retail Park and jumped at the chance to get involved. I began volunteering in November 2025, and I am so glad I did – the team is like one big supportive family and everyone is very friendly and polite.
“I work at the shop every week on a Thursday and Friday and I recommend it to all of my friends. I’ve become friends with Luba, who is also from Ukraine. I am happy to give up my time for a great cause and my role has helped me in so many ways.”
Vicky from Sri Lanka shares a similar experience. She said:
“I saw the opportunity to fundraise for the hospice through a volunteering service and began at Robin Retail Park in November 2025. The role is ideal for me as I wanted to continue volunteering after moving to Wigan and I live in Wigan town centre.
“Volunteering at Robin Retail Park has been a very positive experience. It is great to interact with new people and help raise money for a great cause. I work every Friday and I look forward to my shift every week.”
New experiences
For Liubov, volunteering began quite by chance. She said:
“I accidentally heard about the opportunity to volunteer for the hospice through a very kind gentleman in my local park. Through his connections, I was introduced to the hospice charity shop in Shevington and I became a volunteer there not long after.
“I was nervous at first, as I wasn’t confident in my English language skills, but every shift helps me to socialise and hear people talk English, meaning I understand the language more and more each day.
“I began volunteering at Robin Retail Park on a Friday alongside my shift at Shevington on a Thursday and it has been great to meet a brand new team. I feel very supported in my role in both shops and they are friendly environments to work in. I have even recommended volunteering for the hospice to all of my college friends!”
If you would like to find out more about volunteering in our charity shops, please visit: https://www.wlh.org.uk/volunteer/shop-volunteer/
Published February 2026.