From Norway to Oxfam, Marius shared his volunteer story
When Marius Larsen signed up for a sales degree in Norway, he didn’t expect it would lead him to volunteering in an Oxfam shop in Ireland. But through a placement with Erasmus (a European Union programme that enables students, young people, and staff to study, train, gain experience, and volunteer abroad) that’s exactly where he ended up. Luckily, it turned out to be the perfect match.
When he joined the team at Oxfam’s George's Street shop, Marius embraced all aspects of shop life. Whether it was starting early to open up, vacuuming, sorting shoes, organising scarves, doing shifts on the till, tagging donations, or steaming clothes in the back, he did it all.
“It’s a good mix of everything,” he said.
But for Marius, the real highlight was interacting with customers.
I love talking to customers. That’s why I’m in this kind of work in the first place. I love to throw in a little one-liner here and there, be a bit cheeky and have a little bit of fun.”
— Marius Larsen
He was especially delighted when fellow Scandinavians visited the shop.
We can all talk with each other and then I get to talk with them in my native language, which always lightens my day.”
Although Marius already had several years of experience working in retail, volunteering at Oxfam still taught him something new.
“The basics were already there for me, but I would say that maybe my communication skills have improved.”
Living and working in Ireland also gave him a fresh perspective on the culture.
“Irish people are kind to their soul. They have it ingrained in them.”
For anyone thinking about volunteering with Oxfam, Marius has some simple advice - just jump in.
Just go for it. That is my advice for people. Try to talk about what you’re interested in, get your opinion out there, get comfortable with your colleagues.”
He should know, he made friends from Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Brazil, Morocco, and more.
Some customers have become friends. He ended up going to gigs and meeting people he never would have met otherwise.
Oxfam volunteers are making a huge impact every day and each has their own story when it comes to how they started volunteering. Here is Barbara Harper’s volunteering journey. She has volunteered in the Oxfam Holywood Superstore since it opened just over a year ago.
I love talking to customers. That’s why I’m in this kind of work in the first place. I love to throw in a little one-liner here and there, be a bit cheeky and have a little bit of fun.”
