An 87-year-old resident at Dukes Court Care Home in Wellingborough has begun volunteering at Niamh’s Next Step Charity Boutique, a local children’s cancer charity, showing that age is no barrier to making a difference.
Shirley Wolfe, who moved to Dukes Court Care Home, part of the Avery Healthcare group, in 2022, now visits the charity shop each month to support its mission of raising funds for children with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that primarily affects children under the age of five.
The opportunity was arranged by the care home’s Well-being Team, who contacted Niamh’s Next Step charity shop owner, Sam Curry, to explore how Shirley could get involved.
Staff at the shop were happy to welcome Shirley, who brings over 30 years of retail experience to the role.
“I felt right at home straight away,” said Shirley. “Everyone was so kind and welcoming; it really reminded me of my old days in retail.”
Her duties include dressing mannequins, organising stock displays, and greeting customers.
But for Shirley, it’s about more than keeping busy.
“I wanted to do something meaningful with my time,” she said. “Helping a children’s cancer charity really spoke to me. I’ve always believed in supporting others where you can.”
She added, “It gives me something to look forward to and makes me feel part of the community again.”
“We absolutely loved having Shirley volunteering at Niamh’s Charity Boutique,” said Sam, Co Founder and Manager of Niamh’s Next Step CIO. “Her smile was just infectious and her laugh made us all smile.”
Sam continued, “We loved hearing her tell us about her job at John Lewis. As a local charity we love to work with our community and having someone down from Dukes Court Care Home was amazing. Thank you Shirley for everything.”
Claire Keen, Home Manager at Dukes Court Care Home, said, “At Dukes Court, we’re committed to supporting our residents in living active, purposeful lives. Shirley’s involvement with Niamh’s Next Step is a fantastic example of how we promote person-centred care, helping individuals stay engaged, pursue their interests, and remain connected to the local community in meaningful ways.”
Shirley’s monthly volunteering has become a cherished part of her routine, and both Dukes Court and Niamh’s Next Step hope her story will inspire more intergenerational collaboration and purposeful aging.
To learn more about Dukes Court Care Home, visit www.averyhealthcare.co.uk or call 01933 445690.
To learn more about Niamh’s Next Step Boutique, click here.
