THE FACES OF SHERBORNE
In our monthly series of “The Faces of Sherborne” we introduce you to the people behind the faces. This month (November 2012)
MEET JACKIE BROWNJOHN
MANAGER, SAVE THE CHILDREN
Which is the oldest charity shop in Sherborne? What does it take to run a business on a volunteer basis? How do you maintain momentum year after year? The person who knows all about this is Jackie Brownjohn, Manager of the Save The Children shop in Sherborne. She has lived in the area for over 40 years and has been associated with Save The Children for 36 years.
Read the full interview below:
Q: When did it all begin?
JB: Save The Children (STC) first set up a branch in Sherborne in 1972. In those days, it was very much a social thing with coffee mornings and supper parties. I joined the committee in 1976 and the shop was set up in 1980, in the same premises we occupy now. I agreed to run the shop and we started off as quite an upmarket outlet with very good merchandise.
Q: How did you find suitable people to help you run the shop?
JB: We never advertised and still don’t. It is all done through recommendation and we have always had a good group of volunteers. All of the other STC shops are run by paid managers but here we are all volunteers. Unfortunately, our numbers have gone down and whereas we used to operate with a core group of 35 – 40 people we are now down to 27 – 28, so we are always on the lookout for new people.
Q: How have things changed?
JB: Years ago, I set up a plan with guidelines on how to run the business but now there is an immense amount of paperwork with Head Office managers and regional managers. Now we have STC merchandise, lots of greetings cards and so on. Our shop has always been well favoured in terms of donations so we have a good range including a lot of bric-a-brac.
Q: Do you think there are too many charity shops now?
JB: Possibly. I think there are seven shops in Sherborne now and as in all things there needs to be a balance. Still, I believe that these shops do attract visitors to the town and we also do pay something towards local amenities. We also provide an opportunity for youngsters to get some retail experience and to contribute something to the community. We receive help from students from the Boys’ and Girls’ schools and the Gryphon, those who are doing the Duke ofEdinburghscheme. It’s part of their community service and I think it also looks good on their CVs.
Q: What about the work of Save The Children itself?
JB: The charity does a tremendous amount of good. It goes into disaster areas very quickly and provides humanitarian help. STC has also been very successful in its ‘Reuniting’ schemes through which it brings children back to their parents. STC has been in operation for 95 years now and has achieved an enormous amount of good.
Q: In terms of merchandise, has anything changed?
JB: Yes, it is quite obvious that we live in a ‘throwaway’ society now. People don’t darn and mend things anymore. Fashions change quickly and a lot gets thrown out.
Q: What of the future?
JB: At the top level, charities now attract a very high caliber of businessmen and women who have had an accomplished career and now want to ‘put something back’. This means there is a lot more focus in terms of regulation and goals; it’s all very tightly organized with interesting new schemes such as ‘Living and Giving’ which allows donations to be gift-aided. I have really enjoyed it all; it has been a great challenge but a great success and I was fortunate enough to have my services recognized a few years ago with an MBE.
Q: Do you run any special events?
JB: We have a series of coffee mornings and also open days at people’s houses. One of our main events at this time of year is our Christmas Fair. This year it is at the Digby Hall in Hound Street on Thursday 15 November from 10.00 to 12.30.
Save the Children is at The Green at the top of Cheap Street. Phone: 01935 816337