Pros
* Great bunch of people and a high level of trust afforded to volunteers. * Extra responsibilities are granted fairly quickly, which was a pleasant surprise. * You end up volunteering with a varied selection of age groups, everything from students and the odd school age weekender, to retired people wishing to retain the sense of teamwork and satisfaction that they have been used to in their working lives. * Shifts are short and it is generally up to you how many sessions you work a week. All they ask is an initial commitment to volunteer for a period of 3 months. There is no undue pressure to sign up for more sessions than you are comfortable with in any weekly period. * Copious quantities of tea are available, along with the occasional biscuit. * Volunteers are able to claim back bus fares incurred in getting to the shop and, in the event of having to work an all day shift, their lunch expenses. * The management style is relaxed and friendly without coming across as forced or insincere. Gratitude to volunteers for a job well done is genuinely expressed. * There is always someone to ask if you get stuck with anything, and there is no blame or judgement attached to needing assistance.
Cons
* The high number of volunteers can make it difficult to remember faces and names. * There is a physical element to many of the tasks, so it may not suit someone with mobility issues. * Work can sometimes be of a solitary nature, but there are also opportunities to work with other volunteers.