Barbara

What you do at COT?

I help run the "Hitrade" charity shop in Sidcup, raising money for COT. There are 36 of us in the shop – a friendly, happy group. Money raised fulfils our residents "wish list" about four times a year and occasionally we donate money to large projects. I also sort the shop rota out each week and this can be challenging. For homework I sort and price all the jewellery and I also make Greetings Cards to sell in the shop.

What is your favourite song?

No particular song but still enjoy 50s and 60s music.

What is your favourite food?

Curry - Stir Fry - Roast Beef Lunch - Salad

Choose three words to describe yourself

Helpful, friendly and caring.

Describe what you might do in an average day at COT

Sort incoming donations, price and put them out in shop. Make drinks for staff to keep them happy. Tidy shop and take care of stock. There is always plenty to do as the shop is so busy and always full of customers.

Have you got a funny tale or an achievement from your time at COT you'd like to share?

Fundraising for COT for the past 27 years has changed me from a quiet, shy person to a confident, happy, more outgoing one. I have achieved more than I ever thought possible. Providing money for all our residents to have a better life and achieve more skills than previously thought possible has been so rewarding for me. It’s great to see our residents so happy and enjoying living at COT.