Woking and Sam Beare Hospices want volunteers to follow in the footsteps of their first retail apprentice.

Jade Blackwell, 19, started as a volunteer in her nearest Sam Beare Hospice shop and has now signed up to a year of training, including working in the hospices shops, warehouse and retail office.

Miss Blackwell said: “When the hospices opened their shop in Ashford, I went along and liked it so much that I decided to start volunteering there, and I guess this is the next step up.

“Every day is different and I’ve already learned so much from talking to and working alongside experienced people in the shop.”

Along with taking on their first apprentice, the hospices hope more people will volunteer at their shops.

About a third of the hospices’ retail staff started working as volunteers, and in the past year, eight volunteers from the Walton shop have moved on to paid roles in other high street stores.

Rosemary Vyse, area shops manager, believes learning about a business from the inside while building your CV was why so many volunteers go on to complete paid work for the charity.

She said: “Giving your time to get a job is a clear sign of commitment that any employer will appreciate.”

Anyone interested in volunteering their time to help the hospices should contact their nearest Woking and Sam Beare Hospices shop or call Mary Morgan, volunteers services manager, on 01483 175520.

For more information, visit wsbhospices.co.uk/shops.