Recently, Clara and Christine from our Community Team travelled to Bromborough to meet up with Anita after she told them she had a new job.
We entered Down the Rabbit Hole to see a riot of colour and an eclectic mix of gifts and artwork on sale. First things first, we get our personal tour of the shop from Anita. After grabbing our seats, coffee in hand, we asked Anita if she wouldn’t mind answering a few questions about her work at Down the Rabbit Hole and if she had any advice for other people thinking about volunteering.
So, Anita thank you for meeting up with us to talk about your new role. Can you tell us a bit about Down the Rabbit Hole?
Down the Rabbit Hole is a gift shop. It’s quite unusual and quirky and it has lots of unique gifts and second-hand clothes, bags and shoes. It’s part of Phab Club which is a place where people can go and get involved in lots of different activities. There’s lots of Phab Clubs up and down the country, but I go to two different clubs on the Wirral.
On a Wednesday night I go to one in Pensby. Some of the activities we do there include taekwondo, Zumba, quizzes and we have a news corner where members say what they have done throughout the week. They also have another community hub in New Ferry which has a furniture shop a second-hand clothes shop and a food shop. I go here to do my drumming lessons on a Tuesday from 1:30 to 2:30pm. I have been going to Phab Club for quite a long time now and I have met lots of great people here.
It sounds like a great place to get involved with. How did you find out about the shop and when did you start volunteering here?
I was on holiday with Phab Club in Bendrigg and while I was there, I spoke to Lorna who works for Phab Club. She told me about the shop, and I told her that I had been thinking about volunteering and had some availability during the week if she wanted me to come down and help in the shop.
After I came back off the holiday, I started volunteering there the following Monday. It’s now been about 3 months since I started and I’m loving it.
Have you learnt any new skills since you started in your job?
I’ve learnt lots of new things since I started. I’ve been learning how to make lattes, and something called Bubble Tea which uses cold tea with extra flavours like strawberry and cherry.
It seems like you’ve learnt lots in such a short space of time. What are some of your other jobs?
There’s a bit of general cleaning duties like washing up and making sure the shop stays lovely and clean. I’ve also been trying to build up my skills using the electronic till. I’m still trying to get the hang of it, but I’m going to keep practicing.
I also serve the drinks and cakes that we have in the shop and there is a seating area at the back where people can sit, and I can bring over their orders.
What advice would you give to someone else who is thinking of volunteering or getting a paid job?
Go for it! It gets you out there, meeting new people and learning new skills.
Down the Rabbit Hole is a community focused non-profit shop selling unique and wonderful gifts for all occasions. Located on Bromborough Village Road in the Wirral.
“We would encourage anyone to go take a look as we came away with some great gift ideas.”
(Clara Preston & Christine Bithell)