A VOLUNTEER at the Okehampton Hospiscare shop has said his time with the team is helping him learn new skills to get back into work after a battle with stomach cancer.

Christopher Hunt, aged 34, has been unemployed for an extended period of time after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. After receiving the all clear, Christopher was keen to get back into the work place.

He decided that volunteering was a way to learn some new skills to help him find a new job. He said that since he started volunteering for Hospiscare, his confidence has gone up, he las learned new up-to-date skills, gained valuable customer facing experience and now has a professional reference to call upon when applying for jobs.

Christopher said: ‘My experience with cancer has made me think more seriously about my life. It has completely changed my outlook and perspective. I have a completely different attitude on goals and what I want to do with my life.

‘I knew I wanted to return to work but with no usable references or experience I struggled to find employment. I decided that volunteering would be a good way to get retail experience and a good excuse to get out of the house and do something.

‘After popping into the Okehampton Hospiscare shop and chatting to Alison, the manager, I knew that was the place I wanted to volunteer because of the lovely, friendly atmosphere in the shop.

‘I get to do a lot of work on the till, but I also help out in the work room sorting stock. There isn’t really such a thing as a typical day.

‘You never know what you’re going to get in through the door; every day is different. I really enjoy working on the till as I get to chat to a lot of people and get to know the regular customers. It’s nice to feel part of a community.’

‘I love volunteering for Hospiscare and I can’t imagine a better place to start my journey back into employment.’

Shop manager Alison Lee commented: ‘Chris is a wonderful volunteer. He’ll do whatever he can to help. Nothing is too much trouble.

‘It’s great that we can help him learn the skills he needs to get back into employment, although I don’t know what we’ll do when he leaves! I’m really lucky to have such a great team of volunteers. But we are always in need of more help.’

For people who think that volunteering may be for them? ‘Just give it a go,’ said Christopher.

‘Come in and give it a try. There are lots of different things you can do to help in the shop and you might be surprised by how much you enjoy it. Alison and the team are so friendly, it really is a lovely shop.’

• Christopher and Alison are pictured above.