Hebburn charity shop celebrates its 'selfless' volunteers' who do vital work supporting the homeless

Emmaus, in St James Mall, Hebburn, marked Volunteers’ Week 2021 by praising its team who keep the shop running – and throwing a surprise party to show their appreciation.

Emmaus is a local homeless charity which works to get homeless people off the streets and integrate back into a normal self-sufficient lifestyle, with shops in Hebburn, Low Fell and South Shields Market Place.

To thank their volunteers, on Friday June 4, Emmaus Hebburn held a surprise party for the staff, where each volunteer was given flowers, chocolate and a thank you card.

Sonya Mould, manager of the Emmaus Hebburn store, said: “Homelessness isn’t a choice and a lot of people just need a helping hand and someone to be there for them.

"Building them up and getting them back on their feet is vitally important.

All the work we do in the shop would be impossible without the volunteers. Without them we wouldn’t be able to do anything. It’s massively important to recognise the hard work of volunteers with things like volunteers week. I don’t think they realise how much they mean to us and how important they are.

"We want to say thank you and show how much the Hebburn community appreciates their selfless work.”

Emmaus Hebburn also pride themselves on being community focused, with the community being at the heart of everything they do.

The celebrations are part of Volunteers’ Week, which was set up to say thank you to volunteers across the country for giving up their time for worthwhile causes.

Volunteers week ran from June 1 to June 7 with a number of events being held all around the country to celebrate millions of volunteers .

This year is the 37th annual volunteers week, after it was set up in 1984 by charitable organisation Volunteers England.

Sonya added: “Weeks like this are massively important to say thank you and give something back. With all the stresses of covid volunteering is a great way to get involved and benefit the community.”

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