A young volunteer’s journey

6th July 2026

Retail volunteering at Acorns is about more than simply helping on our shop floor, it’s about helping people take meaningful steps forward in their lives. After finishing her A-levels and feeling unsure about what to do next, Charlotte joined Acorns as a retail volunteer.

At the time, confidence was a challenge. “I did my A levels and resat them and after that was a bit lost as to what to do, I was very anxious and struggled, I couldn’t have imagined that I would end up here on the till talking to people. I was the complete opposite of how I am now. I just really struggled to get out, so I started working with Sue on Fridays at Acorns, she made me feel relaxed and told me what I was doing was really good. From then on, I’ve been in every week.”

Developing confidence and skills

Sue explains how much Charlotte has grown. “She puts prices on by herself, talks to customers and makes everybody feel welcome. She’s so caring and just marvellous. Charlotte is a beautiful girl inside and out.”

Charlotte began with quieter, behind-the-scenes tasks, gradually building up to more customer-facing roles. With support from the team, particularly fellow volunteer Sue, her confidence grew week by week. Sue has seen that progress first-hand, describing a clear shift from someone who preferred to stay in the background to someone now comfortable engaging with customers and having a more visible role within the team. From the supportive and understanding environment at Acorns, Charlotte was able to comfortably build confidence at her own pace.

A young woman with her arm around an older woman's shoulder, both smiling at the camera.

Support during difficult moments

For Charlotte, that support came at the right time. “I was quite lost. It made me quite down and anxious because everyone else my age was at university and seemed to know what they were doing. Coming here completely changed everything.”

The impact has also extended well beyond the shop floor, “I used to not be able to do things on my own… now I drive places by myself, I go shopping by myself, it’s completely changed everything. It just feels completely normal. I don’t feel anxious.”

“If I had a bad social interaction previously, I would fret over it for days and days and it would make me so upset, but now I am much better at coping, and my mental health is so much better. Coming to volunteer, doing something good, it makes you feel good and it is just a great way to use your time.”

Shaping the future

Volunteering has also helped shape her future. Charlotte is now taking steps towards a career in Special Educational Needs: “I’m doing a course in (SEN) and I’m looking to become a teaching assistant. It’s really changed my whole life doing this.”

A big part of that experience has been the people around her: “Everyone here is so lovely. It’s like a little family. If someone needs reassurance, I’ve got that here, lots of praise.” Sue echoes this, highlighting how important it is to create a space where people feel supported, not judged, and able to grow in confidence for volunteers of all ages.

Advice for future volunteers

For those who feel hesitant or lack confidence, Charlotte’s advice is honest and reassuring.

“Taking the first step is really hard, but once I did that, I realised that it wasn’t as big as I made it out in my head, everyone is so supportive at Acorns. It’s just the best environment; I definitely wish that I’d volunteered sooner. For people who have anxiety it’s so hard to push yourself. I think if you can just push past that, it’s all people with their own backstories and lives and everyone has their struggles as well. No one judges you; no one thinks you’re weird, you’re all equal.”

Those connections have become lasting. “I’ve made lifelong friends. Even when I do eventually get a job, this will always be part of my life.”

If you’re interested in taking the next steps and becoming an Acorns volunteer, why not check out our current opportunities.

Volunteer opportunities