80 SPONSORED BY PREMIER NOSS ON DART
Vital volunteers at our Dartmouth RNLI Visitor Centre and Shop D
art RNLI has many volun- teers keeping
the charity going at a local level – the crews, the shore crew and the fundraisers are always on the go. And there is another
team vital to the Dart Lifeboat. Stroll along the South Embankment, and you will discover the RNLI Visitor Centre and Shop, sporting fabulous views over the mouth of the river. This band of volunteers work hard to
try and keep the shop open for crucial fundraising every day of the week. Drop in to pick up the perfect
gift or souvenir, homewares, cloth- ing, treats, toys, greeting cards and much more. There is also a retired D-Class
Lifeboat for youngsters – and some adults - to look around, dress up as crew and climb in. The Visitor Centre and team are managed by volunteer Deborah Tate, and she explains how the shifts at the shop can be so rewarding. The Centre is on the lookout for
new volunteers, and Deborah says it’s a fabulous way to help the RNLI cause of saving lives at sea. “It’s a fabulous place to be,’ says
Deborah, a volunteer for three years and manager for the last two. “I’ve been in Dartmouth for four
years now, and it’s really fabulous to meet so many different people every day.
helping get the charity’s messages across, and what the RNLI stands for.” One of the highlights
of the year for the Visitor Centre team came during the Royal Regatta. The RNLI volunteers put on a display using both lifeboats, and the response was incredible. “There were three of us
on duty that afternoon and we nearly had to close the doors,” adds Deborah.
“It keeps my skill set going hav-
ing to deal with so many aspects. You’re also putting something back into the community, and at the same time you know what a great cause you are working for.”
‘It keeps my skill set
going having to deal with so many aspects. You’re also putting something back into the
community” Deborah’s volunteers have a far
wider remit than selling the RNLI branded goods. They are also on hand to answer questions about the boats, the crew’s kit, the history, guide people towards the new Lifeboat Station, and help the youngsters dress up in replica kit. “They have such amazing
imaginations, and come out with fantastic stories of why they are pretending to rescue; it can be very entertaining.
“But all the while we know we are
“There were so many people coming in before and after the demo. It shows how much support there is for the RNLI, both from locals and from visitors.” Deborah manages a team of
around 25, and volunteers can choose to work full days, part days or even a few hours at a time. They also organise pop-up stalls at fétes and local events, often working alongside the Water Safety Team. “We can be very flexible and it’s
easy to fit into the team. “We have some volunteers who
have been here since the Centre opened in 2015, while others come and go. “And it’s not just a role for retired people; it’s something positive to add to the CV, experience in retail, and how to use the till and communicate with the public.’” To find out more about
volunteering, drop into the Visitor Centre, call on 01803 832423, or send a message via Facebook, Dartmouth-Visitor-Centre-Shop
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