Using a work volunteering day, I joined regular GoodGym volunteers Caroline and Simon for a morning helping at the Community Hospice shop and warehouse in Welling.

As a first-timer, I was welcomed by Andrew, the warehouse manager, who gave me a tour and explained how the sorting process works. Donations are checked and separated into different categories including men's, women's and children's clothing, bric-a-brac and textiles. We also learned how to identify items suitable for sale and which should go into the "rags" collection, where they can still be put to good use.

Thankfully Caroline and Simon already knew exactly what they were doing, so I was able to learn the ropes quickly and get stuck in. Together we worked our way through a full cage of donations before moving on to help with some more.

It was great to see the generosity of local people, with plenty of good quality items coming through the warehouse. There always seemed to be another bag waiting to be opened, and you never quite knew what you were going to find next.

One of the highlights was discovering a set of four donated teddy bears, who kindly joined us for a team photo, along with a few interesting clothing choices that gave us a laugh while we worked.

A big thank you to Andrew and the hospice team for making me feel so welcome. It was a really enjoyable way to spend a volunteering day and a reminder of how much work goes on behind the scenes to help raise funds for such an important local charity.