Fiona Norris got involved with volunteering after she left work for health reasons. Her husband suggested she try her hand at some volunteering that would build up her confidence and help her back into the workplace. She was out shopping one day and saw a sign in the window of her local Barnardo's charity shop in Coleraine. They needed volunteers to help in their book shop and Fiona thought it was just what she was looking for.

She says, "I love books and reading and always have done. I get it from my mother - she is a great reader. I even did my degree in English and French. So when I saw the sign, I thought I would call in and find out what it would involve.

I met Sarah the Manager of the shop and she gave me a form to fill in and explained the process of becoming a volunteer and then I started volunteering in September 2008.

I try to do three afternoons a week. My volunteering basically involves checking if new stock is in a good enough condition for resale and then putting them into categories such as fiction or non fiction etc and pricing them. Then there are books that we call 'collectible'. They could be a first edition or something particularly old with the dust jacket still intact or even the old Ladybird children's books. To price these, I do some web research to see if I can put a value on them and then price accordingly. It is a balance between giving them an attractive price for resale and ensuring they are not undervalued for the charity. Books with dust jackets that are not price clipped are more valuable - something I didn't know before my volunteering! Just think of all those books given as Christmas presents where you think it is polite to cut the price off!

It is all very interesting especially if you love books. I found a history book signed by the author and was able to put a good price on it. And recently, I got very excited by a signed first edition by Sir Clement Freud who passed away earlier this year. It is great to know that, not only are the books going to a good home when they are purchased, but that the money raised is going to help Barnardo's provide services for children across Northern Ireland.

My volunteering is helping me back to a better place health-wise and giving me more confidence. I love all the books - it is the perfect volunteer role for an avid reader. I love meeting people and helping them find something they are looking for whether they are in to purchase or browse. The book shop is like an oasis and I like to think of it as a wee private library tucked away in Coleraine. So many people come in and say they didn't know we are here - it is great when they come back again, sometimes with friends.

The only problem is that it is difficult to leave without a book or several, each time new stock comes in. That is one of the best parts of my volunteering - I get to read the books so I can pass on my reviews to customers!"