Since July, Astrid has been supporting Habitat Ireland’s work through an internship with Northeastern University (Boston). Alongside her work, she has also been able to volunteer in ReStore. Read about her experience in the social enterprise below.
Volunteering in the ReStore has been one of the most valuable and rewarding experiences I've had during my time in Ireland. Coming to Ireland alone was daunting but getting involved in Habitat ReStore quickly became a great way for me to meet people and be a part of something meaningful.
I came to Ireland through a six-month work programme with my university back in Boston. Most of the time I’m working in the Lisburn office, helping to develop ESG partnerships. My placement has included everything from calculating carbon footprints of all the ReStores, to assisting in new store openings.
I’ve had so many opportunities to get involved in Habitat’s mission, but my favorite way to see the impact of our work has been through volunteering in ReStore. Since July, I’ve volunteered in both Lisburn and Belfast locations, taking on all kinds of tasks and meeting incredible people along the way.
Even though I really enjoy my office work, I find that volunteering allows me to see the impact of Habitat’s mission firsthand, which is the best part. Seeing customers find quality items at affordable prices and knowing those things will make a difference in their lives is what makes me excited to come to work every day. Beyond that, I’ve seen how much confidence and happiness volunteering brings to those involved. Whether it’s retired individuals who may not get out much or supported workers gaining new skills, ReStore offers a space for connection, community, and purpose.
I can sit at my desk and contribute to Habitat's mission but being on the floor and actually seeing our work in action makes coming into the office even more meaningful
Volunteering in the ReStore has given me the ability to directly see the work we do. I know our statistics from the number of supported workers securing a job, to the tonnes that we divert from the landfill, but this doesn’t compare to seeing it impact people's lives.
My favorite task is working on the till. There’s usually another volunteer there to chat with, and the customers are always friendly and grateful. You never know what you will find in ReStore so it is always exciting to see what people bring up to the till. I also really enjoy restocking the bric-a-brac shelves. I really enjoy organizing, so I find it relaxing putting everything in its place and seeing how much stock I can fit in a small section.
Back home in America, I’ve spent over five years in the restaurant industry and have always enjoyed talking to customers. I am able to do the same thing working on the till and I always enjoy seeing what people purchase.
One of the biggest surprises working in ReStore has been the number of people who show up every day eager and ready to help, you can tell that it is the best part of some people's days. I've also been surprised by how quickly the shop changes; in just a day the store can look completely different depending on donations, which makes volunteering all the more exciting because you never know what you will find in ReStore.
Without a doubt, the highlight of my experience has been the people. I’ve met so many inspiring individuals through volunteering in the ReStore. From Mel, the Retail Assistant in ReStore Lisburn who is always so kind, welcoming and willing to help to James a supported volunteer in ReStore Lisburn who is so great to chat with and always willing to lend a hand when needed, ReStores are filled with a beautifully diverse group of people.
What inspires me most about Habitat’s work is how ReStores are so much more than charity shops. Although they may look the same from the outside, Habitat’s model is unique. While reusing items and preventing waste, Habitat ReStores create communities. Each of the eight ReStores across Ireland have their own unique atmosphere and people who make it special. In Lisburn, the volunteers always greet me by name and ask about my week and those interactions make a huge difference. Habitat’s larger mission, to make sure everyone, everywhere, has a safe and decent place to call home, is something I plan on being a part of for the rest of my life.
I’ve also learned how important it is to ask for help. I used to struggle with that, always trying to figure things out on my own, but ReStore has shown me that people genuinely want to help, you just have to ask.
If someone was considering volunteering in ReStore, I’d tell them to do it. It can be intimidating starting something new and being unsure of what to do or how to help, but you won’t feel that way here. Everyone is so willing to guide you and the sense of community is immediate. Back in Boston, I volunteered at a food kitchen preparing meals in the kitchen, which I loved, but the difference at ReStore is that you can see the direct impact on people’s lives. It’s motivating, meaningful, and something I’m so grateful to be a part of.
