Getting work and being included

An anonymous story.

I am a mysterious woman who lives in the eastern part of Scottish Borders.

I do unpaid work in a charity shop.

The thing I like is that there is no pressure because I'm not paid. That was very good at the beginning when I was learning what to do.

I also like the funny things that happen. I have a good laugh with the people I work beside. I like sorting through what people bring in. We never know what we will find. The lady I work with appreciates what I do. I like it when I know what is expected of me.

I get the bus to work and use my travel card. I eat my lunch at home before I go. It would be nice to be able to go for lunch at the tea shop with the other people at the shop, but it is too expensive for me.

I am after paid work because I need the money. Someone suggested a job, but I'm not sure if it is the right one for me. It would be good to have someone to talk over the different types of jobs.

Something that would help a lot is if I could earn a bit more without it affecting by benefits.