The Dream Team
![[Image description: The volunteer team are seated around central tables in a community room. They are all looking and smiling at the camera.]](/uploads/images/Oakham_Meeting_-_Header_Image.max-1000x1000.jpg)
This article was written by Becky Newham, Vista's Interim Director of Fundraising and Communications, following a visit to our Oakham Charity Shop.
Our Charity Book Shop nestled in the heart of Oakham is a haven for readers with its well-stocked shelves of fiction and non-fiction, from Art, Biographies and Cookery through to Sport, Vintage Classics and Warfare. You’ll find children’s books, collectibles, audio books and large print, also maps and greetings cards. The shop is run solely by volunteers, and on Monday 7th April 2025 I met 20 of the 25-strong volunteer team at their quarterly team meeting.
I was first struck by the dedication and warmth of the team. They are a very special group of people, giving up their time to support the shop and work of Vista. To run a successful shop by committee is no mean feat. Their ability to work together, listen and collaborate was inspiring. Each volunteer clearly has their own strengths and interests and each play a vital role in the day to day running of the shop. But they are all driven by a desire to generate as much revenue as possible for Vista whilst providing a first class experience to their customers.
During the meeting, the team worked their way through a full agenda, covering the financial performance, ways to make the shop more profitable, stock management, systems and processes and health and safety. The team debated and voted on decisions and identified clear steps to improve the shop including the motion to increase the opening times to 4pm after Easter. Their business savvy, love of books and consideration of their customers’ needs was all very impressive to witness.
This year the team are looking to generate £10K profit from their shop, a 1% increase on last year. I have no doubt they will smash their target. If you live in the Oakham area, I urge you to visit our wonderful, welcoming book shop on the high street and support the work of the team.
On behalf of everyone at Vista I’d like to thank our brilliant and hard- working charity shop teams in Oakham, Rothley and Shepshed. Details of all three of our charity shops can be found by clicking the button below.