The Wales Air Ambulance Charity shop in Tenby is on the lookout for new volunteers.

Karen Ward who lives in the village of Hundleton, a thirty-minute drive from the seaside town, says “she hasn’t looked back” since joining the team two years ago.

Karen is the assistant general manager and works five days a week at the Upper Frog Street branch.

The 66-year-old grandmother of four, said: “The shop is so much fun; we make a point of creating a great atmosphere. We want our brilliant volunteers to be happy.”

There are a variety of jobs which need doing daily and Karen says she has “no intention of retiring anytime soon” because there is “never a dull moment” and “always something to do.”

Karen was born in the Midlands and worked in the Jewelry Quarter in Birmingham before moving to West Wales. She worked at Kiln Park for twenty-two years before returning to retail in 2023
Karen was born in the Midlands and worked in the Jewelry Quarter in Birmingham before moving to West Wales. She worked at Kiln Park for twenty-two years before returning to retail in 2023. (Pic supplied)

“Our shop manager, Kirsty Gardiner and I are the only ones who do back of house, so we price the stock up. All the other volunteers will be in the front, with one person on the till and another available to assist on the shop floor.

“We do not have a particular type of customer, they are a mixed bunch. We have the regulars, they come every single day, they will always find something to buy.

“Then you have the holidaymakers, families who will all split up – with the kiddies off to the books and toys, mum goes to the clothes and dad heads to the back where the furniture is.

“Then you have older people who come in just to have a chat, because they might be lonely, and we are the only person they might get to have a talk with that day. It is more of a social thing; a ten-minute talk and they continue with their shopping.”

With so many enticing shops in Tenby, the Wales Air Ambulance team like to regularly update their windows with new themes.

“People will come in and they will pop their head around the door and say is this a Charity shop?” continued Karen.

“Kirsty and I always do the windows; we take immense pride in creating something special.”

The Charity relies on donations of pre-loved items from the public to fill the shelves. Wales Air Ambulance shops stock items such as furniture, toys and games, clothes, music, and ornaments.

“We are such a busy shop and have such a wonderful team, but we really could do with more volunteers ahead of the summer months,” Karen explained.

Wales air ambulance shop Tenby
The shop is located on Upper Frog Street (Pic supplied)

“There is no age-limit, it is lovely getting to work with people from all walks of life and if you have no experience that does not matter either.

“We will teach you how to use the till, how to put out stock and dress windows.

“It is great for your CV if you are looking for your first work experience role. People that have joined us have had a real confidence boost as they have picked up new skills.”

For more information about Wales Air Ambulance shops, volunteering and how to donate your pre-loved items, please visit: walesairambulance.com/shops