Wednesday 31 October 2012
Quickie post beofre bed!
I have had an incredibly short week at Oxfam, Only worked 3 days! Could get used to that!
However, it has been busy, and in me being an old lady, pulled a muscle in my back after today, lugging boxed around!
I was a mad woman on a mission moving boxes and donations, and filled many bin bags of rubbish, essentially blitz the shop, now looks nice and tidy!
Somehow this does not relate to my degree in Fashion, although I have been organising the accounts for the week, which is quite new for me, never done it before.
I feel this week insted of doing creative things, I have been focusing on managerial duties and learning how to run the shop while the manager is away!
So summary of my really short week, I learnt how to do the weekly accounts, Got myself (and the shop) organised and Strated my own campaign group in Suffolk! Pretty good for a 3 day week!
New Campaign Group
Here as Oxfam Stowmarket, We have created a new campaign group and the first thing before any meetings, we have a new blog, So if you are interested in Oxfam as a charity rather than us as a shop this might tickle your fancy!
As the Deputy manager, I have taken a real interest in oxfam's work and in knowing that not many people know exactly what they do, want to spread the word and work of Oxfam into my community here in Suffolk.
Anyone can join the group, We will have a monthly newsletter going around, as well as this blog.
If you are interested e-mail Stephanie on reeds310@gmail.com for more information!
As we have never done anything remotely like this before, this might be a slow process. However I feel that my links with Oxfam and knowlege combine with a team of enthusiastic people will be enough.
I am hoping to have meetings, monthy or two monthly, to arrange fund raisers and events, as well as taking Oxfam's message into the streets, not asking for money, but to tell people of our work and why we are so passionate!
Look forward to this incredibly, and I hope you do too!
As the Deputy manager, I have taken a real interest in oxfam's work and in knowing that not many people know exactly what they do, want to spread the word and work of Oxfam into my community here in Suffolk.
Anyone can join the group, We will have a monthly newsletter going around, as well as this blog.
If you are interested e-mail Stephanie on reeds310@gmail.com for more information!
As we have never done anything remotely like this before, this might be a slow process. However I feel that my links with Oxfam and knowlege combine with a team of enthusiastic people will be enough.
I am hoping to have meetings, monthy or two monthly, to arrange fund raisers and events, as well as taking Oxfam's message into the streets, not asking for money, but to tell people of our work and why we are so passionate!
Look forward to this incredibly, and I hope you do too!
Friday 26 October 2012
Our Day today!
Had a massive sort out of the Merchandising in the Shop today with the manager, Was a task but Looks so much better!
Wednesday 24 October 2012
Last Long Week
I have been insainly busy, but I havent forgotten to keep blogging! Last Week was a bit manic, I have stopped wroking on Mondays (woo, a day off) So when I go in on Tuesday, there is quite a bit to do, especialy if it has been my weekend off (I work every other weekend)!
I have also been to my first ever Area Meeting, Got to meet all of the other managers in East Anglia and The Area Manager was there, also the Area Manager's Mangaer! So lots of big people, I had to introduce myself, Hello, My name is Stephanie... Felt like saying 'and I am an alcoholic' But I thik, I am Stowmarket's Deputy was more like it, maybe my sence of weird humor wouldn't be appreciated!
I found this Meeting, Well more of a whole day thing, I found it usefull and interesting. Learnt alot, We focused on Theft and Fraud in the shop, both from Customers and Staff and Volunteers. Was shocking some of the stories I heard! And got some usefull information on shop security and how to deal with fraud and thefts from staff, which makes me angry at the thought!
Other than the big meeting, I have been very busy with my new campaign work! This is slightly more exciting, I have started the first Oxfam Campaign group in Suffolk, Starting in Stowmarket and surrounding villages, Hopefully my aim is to branch out to Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds! Exciting stuff! I am currently brushing up on everyhting Oxfam does, all my facts and figures and Everything I need to Know about campaigning. Being the organised little bee that I am, it is all highlighted, all the bits I really need to know and filed in a fetching orange file!
To start monthly newsletters for my e-mail list I am gathering through Staff and Customers, And hopefully soon I will be organising a meeting, I would like to get everyone who supports Oxfam's work together and talk and learn together, and as the group grows, organise events and fundraisers. Then I can start to allocate roles as it grows bigger and bigger! I have one year...Lets see how it goes!
Along with this I am still, yes still, writing my shop guide, it has literally been months! But it is nearly finished, so close now! I'd say way before the end of Novenmber! Everyday I seem to find more to add (or those horrific spelling mistakes) as well as the organisation of pages and titles...the boring bit!
To round off the week, as you probably saw my photos, I had my own market stall, Was a very cold day, but made a healthy amount for Oxfam! It was fun (not having to get up early) doing it and organising it! I half took it upon myself to price everything and get it ready, took about 2 days before to be fully ready, and the other half was a challenge set upon me by my manager, she let me do my own thing but when I needed guidance she was able to help me, things like, I needed some contacts for the local council for a gazebo and a pitch!
The day was long and cold, like I said, But we had some wonderful items on the stall, and some lush shoes! Unfortunatley we didn't sell everything, but what did not sell has gone back onto the shop floor so people who did see something on the stall can have a chance to buy it for the next 2 weeks, unless it sells! It also was a great chance to promote the shop, we didn't go all out on balloons and posters and lots of green, we kept it simple. I say this is by choice, but the fact of the matter was I ran out of time, However this worked in my favor, People who wouldn't normaly come into the shop were looking at the stall, and it was interesting to see people reaction when I explained who we were, some people were chuffed and didn't mind, but some people you could tell they were thinking, run, run away!
So between meeting the big bosses, being a campaign maniac and freezing my toes off in aid of showing people that Oxfam and charity shops do have nice clothes that don't smell, I have had some sort of life! (I say that, I go singing with my mum on a Thursday night, I am so wild) But am having a well deserved night out with the girlies this weekend, let my hair down!
I have also been to my first ever Area Meeting, Got to meet all of the other managers in East Anglia and The Area Manager was there, also the Area Manager's Mangaer! So lots of big people, I had to introduce myself, Hello, My name is Stephanie... Felt like saying 'and I am an alcoholic' But I thik, I am Stowmarket's Deputy was more like it, maybe my sence of weird humor wouldn't be appreciated!
I found this Meeting, Well more of a whole day thing, I found it usefull and interesting. Learnt alot, We focused on Theft and Fraud in the shop, both from Customers and Staff and Volunteers. Was shocking some of the stories I heard! And got some usefull information on shop security and how to deal with fraud and thefts from staff, which makes me angry at the thought!
Other than the big meeting, I have been very busy with my new campaign work! This is slightly more exciting, I have started the first Oxfam Campaign group in Suffolk, Starting in Stowmarket and surrounding villages, Hopefully my aim is to branch out to Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds! Exciting stuff! I am currently brushing up on everyhting Oxfam does, all my facts and figures and Everything I need to Know about campaigning. Being the organised little bee that I am, it is all highlighted, all the bits I really need to know and filed in a fetching orange file!
To start monthly newsletters for my e-mail list I am gathering through Staff and Customers, And hopefully soon I will be organising a meeting, I would like to get everyone who supports Oxfam's work together and talk and learn together, and as the group grows, organise events and fundraisers. Then I can start to allocate roles as it grows bigger and bigger! I have one year...Lets see how it goes!
Along with this I am still, yes still, writing my shop guide, it has literally been months! But it is nearly finished, so close now! I'd say way before the end of Novenmber! Everyday I seem to find more to add (or those horrific spelling mistakes) as well as the organisation of pages and titles...the boring bit!
To round off the week, as you probably saw my photos, I had my own market stall, Was a very cold day, but made a healthy amount for Oxfam! It was fun (not having to get up early) doing it and organising it! I half took it upon myself to price everything and get it ready, took about 2 days before to be fully ready, and the other half was a challenge set upon me by my manager, she let me do my own thing but when I needed guidance she was able to help me, things like, I needed some contacts for the local council for a gazebo and a pitch!
The day was long and cold, like I said, But we had some wonderful items on the stall, and some lush shoes! Unfortunatley we didn't sell everything, but what did not sell has gone back onto the shop floor so people who did see something on the stall can have a chance to buy it for the next 2 weeks, unless it sells! It also was a great chance to promote the shop, we didn't go all out on balloons and posters and lots of green, we kept it simple. I say this is by choice, but the fact of the matter was I ran out of time, However this worked in my favor, People who wouldn't normaly come into the shop were looking at the stall, and it was interesting to see people reaction when I explained who we were, some people were chuffed and didn't mind, but some people you could tell they were thinking, run, run away!
So between meeting the big bosses, being a campaign maniac and freezing my toes off in aid of showing people that Oxfam and charity shops do have nice clothes that don't smell, I have had some sort of life! (I say that, I go singing with my mum on a Thursday night, I am so wild) But am having a well deserved night out with the girlies this weekend, let my hair down!
Wednesday 17 October 2012
Design Ideas
Recently was given a design brief for my placement here at Oxfam, We are re decorating the shop soon and I have got loads of ideas, Here are my working ideas!
Saturday 13 October 2012
Wednesday 10 October 2012
Plans and Ideas for the updates at Oxfam Stowmarket
In November Oxfam Stowmarket are Updating and re decorating the shop, Here are some plans of what Both the Manager and I have thought of, A Collage of Oxfam Publications covering the walls of the changing rooms and the front of the counter, Some house plants, Stencils and Prints on walls and doors in Oxfam Pink, Blue and Original Green!
Monday 8 October 2012
New shop Colour Scheme?!
The Manager at Oxfam has asked me to rack my brains, we are wanting to re decorate the shop in November, trying to scrounge things off donors and volunteers, I have been focusing on the colour scheme, we agreed that pink and blue would work well, and you can not miss out the original oxfam green. This is a starting point, watch out for more on this idea soon!
Wednesday 3 October 2012
Tuesday 2 October 2012
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