Interview with Johnnie Walker

This month I met with our furniture shop manager, Johnnie Walker, to find out more about his 25 years of service at Maundy Relief.

Johnnie arrives at 7:30 each morning and gets straight to work sorting donations and organising the shop. Without Johnnie’s hard work, the shop wouldn’t be where it is today! 

Laura: Tell us a bit about yourself and how you started off here at Maundy. 

Johnnie: My name is Johnnie Walker, I’m now manager of the furniture shop. I’ve worked here since March 1999. I started off by delivering food, furniture and bedding in the evenings for Dorothy, and I helped with general odd jobs like cleaning the guttering and fixing some of the roof slates. I took over running the shop 13 years ago. 

Laura: You started off as a volunteer, what was it that made you decide to give your time to Maundy? 

Johnnie: In March 1999 I was in a dark place and the only help I got was from Dorothy. Someone she knew at social services gave her my details. Dorothy restored my faith in humanity. I decided to get involved because I felt a need to help people as Dorothy had helped me. 

Laura: What does your role look like now? 

Johnnie: I arrange collections and deliveries of stock, ensure the shop is tidy and safe, sort clothing out for resale – I also drive the van when needed. 

Laura: What’s the biggest change you’ve seen at the shop over the years? 

Johnnie: The biggest change has been actually buying the building that the shop is in which has enabled us to do the current work on the leaking roof! Today we’re very conscious of the direct link between the sale of donated goods and the cost of running our vital social services. We have a great team of volunteers who work really hard on all aspects of running the shop.  

Laura: 25 years is a long time, what has kept you working here all this time? 

Johnnie: When I was looking after Dorothy towards the end, she knew something was on my mind and asked what was bothering me. I replied: ‘What do I do when you have gone?’ and Dorothy said: ‘You must promise to carry on doing what I am doing.’ And that’s what I’m doing, living her ideas and ethos. 

Laura: What would you say Maundy Relief is all about? 

Johnnie: It’s somewhere where everyone is welcome, plus we give an immediate response to poverty and need. 

Thank you Johnnie, we look forward to many more years working alongside you!  

Feel free to pop in and see Johnnie running Maundy’s brilliant furniture shop.  

Our shop is open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm, and 11am-2:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. If you’d like to know more, or to donate stock, please call 01254 381637.