Why I enjoy volunteering for Cancer Research Wales: Mia’s Story

I saw that Cancer Research Wales was looking for volunteers after I went on the website and I got the contact details for the shop. I came in and met Vikki Cornish, who is the manager here. That was almost a year ago and I volunteer one day a week and I enjoy it and I enjoy the people and the community we have in the shop. The atmosphere in the shop is very nice.

Mia says she finds that customers often speak about their experiences with cancer and that her keen listening ear serves her well in her role.

People who come to the shop often talk about their experiences with cancer and I feel privileged that they often feel comfortable enough to open up about their cancer journey and it can be emotional, but it’s very rewarding. I like helping people and am currently doing a counselling course at college in Cardiff and the Vale College and I’ve found that the impact of being a listening ear for someone is very powerful – sometimes that’s all people need – someone to listen to them. 

I actually decided to do the counselling course a while ago after seeing people who are close to me – including family members struggling to talk about things like cancer and that’s when I realised there’s always more to it [cancer] than just the physical illness. My great aunt had breast cancer twice and she recovered from it which was incredible and she had a big impact on me. She’s a very inspiring person and we connected over our shared love of art.

Mia says she enjoys the company of the people who work at, volunteer and visit the shop and that it’s a very close and supportive community. The kindness she sees at the Cancer Research Wales shop has made a lasting impression on her.

I’ve learnt from volunteering at the Cancer Research Wales shop in Penarth that I like being around people and human connection is so important and I get that from the shop. I’ve learnt that I also enjoy being useful and making a contribution. There’s a nice team at the shop and we all support and help each other with day-to-day things and emotional support when we need it. It’s nice to have a good chat and put the world to rights when you’re steaming clothes in the stock room. 

I get a lot from volunteering at the shop – it’s the community, it’s connecting with the customers and Cancer Research Wales is an important charity - that inspires me, and I also see a lot of kindness at the shop. People come to the shop with goods they want to donate to support the charity and sign up for Gift Aid and I feel that by being in the shop, I’m part of a very giving community. That’s the thing that’s had the biggest impact on me – the customers and how kind they are and willing to give so much to Cancer Research Wales.

Give your time as a volunteer for Cancer Research Wales and help unite Wales against cancer. Your support means we can continue to fund research that makes an active difference to your friends, family, and neighbours across Wales.