Using a work volunteering day, I joined regular GoodGym volunteers Caroline and Simon for a morning helping at the Community Hospice shop and warehouse in Welling.

As a first-timer, I was welcomed by Andrew, the warehouse manager, who gave me a tour and explained how the sorting process works. Donations are checked and separated into different categories including men's, women's and children's clothing, bric-a-brac and textiles. We also learned how to identify items suitable for sale and which should go into the "rags" collection, where they can still be put to good use.

Thankfully Caroline and Simon already knew exactly what they were doing, so I was able to learn the ropes quickly and get stuck in. Together we worked our way through a full cage of donations before moving on to help with some more.

It was great to see the generosity of local people, with plenty of good quality items coming through the warehouse. There always seemed to be another bag waiting to be opened, and you never quite knew what you were going to find next.

One of the highlights was discovering a set of four donated teddy bears, who kindly joined us for a team photo, along with a few interesting clothing choices that gave us a laugh while we worked.

A big thank you to Andrew and the hospice team for making me feel so welcome. It was a really enjoyable way to spend a volunteering day and a reminder of how much work goes on behind the scenes to help raise funds for such an important local charity.

Caroline and I had another three-hour session at the Community Hospice Shop out the back helping with the sorting of donated bags. You just never know what's going to turn up. Sometimes its beautiful, unworn, still labeled, designer gems. Sometimes its a case of eeeuugh! Some people clearly have a very low bar for what they deem as recyclable. Seems to me the folks running this place could do with a few more of us volunteer sorters as there's quite a big build up of donated stuff as far as I could see. We always keep our eyes out for something unusual or amusing. I found this cuddly crocodile which I rather liked. Caroline couldn't resist donning this blingy Roman helmet. We were both bemused by the shark with three shoes on and wondered at the creative thinking behind that. The joker popped by to monitor progress but apart from that it was just another fun session Goodgymming!

This morning was another three hour session down at the Community Hospice sorting centre in Welling, going through as many of the many donated bags of clothes and whatnots as we could in the time.

Today was the most bags we'd ever seen piled up in the large metal cages. Thankfully Caroline and I were joined by new GoodGymmer Alice to help out. While Caroline showed Alice the ropes, I worked on a separate table. Alice took to it all straight away!

During our regular sessions here, we usually come across the odd thing that raises a smile; this morning was no exception with amusing statements on t-shirts and other items. We posed for the two most worthy of a picture!

I'm often surprised at the statements people are prepared to wear proudly, and our finds today reminded me of the time Caroline and I saw a very well built body builder-type chap wearing a 'World's Greatest Gran' t-shirt!

Hopefully the items we unpacked today will soon be worn proudly by new owners, with their resale raising vital funds for the Community Hospice's amazing work.

Congratulations on your first ever GG task, Alice- great to have you with us! We look forward to seeing you again soon.

If you fancy helping with this much needed donation sorting, drop us a line and we'll find some new dates with the Hospice team.

We met at the Community Hospice shop in Welling ready to get sorting.

Andrew welcomed me (as a newcomer) with a tour of the warehouse and showed me how to assess donated items - what makes it onto the shop floor, and what’s better suited for other collections like rags. It was a great hands-on lesson in spotting quality and value. And whenever I hesitated, our more experience sorters Simon and Caroline were there with expert guidance, helping it make sure nothing useful went to waste.

Of course, we didn’t just quietly sort for three hours. We rose to the occasion by modelling some standout pieces: aprons and hats, silky Japanese robes, coats, and even a wedding veil. It turns out that charity sorting comes with an unexpected side of fashion show!

There was plenty of chat ranging from fairy-tale love stories to favourite foods (with adobo making a memorable appearance), and lots of laughs. It made the time fly by and reminded us how social and uplifting volunteering can be.

By the end of the session, we’d not only sorted a huge pile of donations but also helped ensure that quality items could be sold to raise funds, while others were redirected responsibly. It’s work that directly supports the Community Hospice and the care they provide in the community.

Until next time. ~ Cecilia D🍀

Three of us joined Andrew, the manager, at the Community Hospice warehouse. It was my first time at this task, and I was alongside Caroline and Simon who are regulars there.

We sorted through a mountain of donations in record time. We saved some hidden gems, and found some sloths hanging around waiting for a new home!

We were that busy, we blinked and suddenly it was time to pack up. It felt like we had only just started but we made a big dent in getting through the donations.

It was really rewarding to help such a great charity.