If you are a regular visitor to the shop we are sure you will have met Jess by now. A friendly and welcoming face she is definitely a staff and customer favourite!
We are making the most of her for the next couple of months, before she leaves us in March to embark on the next exciting phase of her gap year!
We thought it was time we all learnt a bit more about her…
How did you get involved with helping at Good Taste?
My Dad is the CEO of TASTE the water charity working in Nigeria that Good Taste support. When their usual Friday and Saturday employees had to leave, Jenny asked if I’d be interested in working at the shop, so I have been working on Saturdays since May and started working on Fridays at the end of June.
What do you do when you are not in the shop?
I’m on my gap year at the moment so am working at Good Taste every Friday and Saturday, however in March I will be going to Malawi with a group of 3 other girls with Tearfund for 3 months to volunteer. My year so far has involved raising funds and awareness for my trip, getting vaccinations, flights and everything else a 3 month voluntary trip abroad involves, I have also been using the time I have before I go, to see friends and enjoy a bit more freedom after a very busy 2 years of A-levels!
What is your favourite Fairtrade product?
I really love the tea and the chocolate. My family are massive tea-drinkers so we get through a lot of it! And, as there is such a variety of delicious chocolate stocking the shelves, on a quiet afternoon its very hard not to treat myself to a bar – paid for, of course! My current favourite is definitely the milk chocolate caramel divine bars!
I’ve also started using the bamboo toothbrush since working at the shop, I’d never thought to use one before, but seeing so many of our customers buying them I thought I’d try it and I really loved it, I don’t think I’ll be going back to plastic!
What do you like most about living in Sheffield?
One of my favourite things about living in Sheffield is being so close to the Peak District, I really love going out for drives in the Peaks in the evening to catch the sunset.
Why do you think Fairtrade is important?
I think its so easy to take what we have for granted, to buy with an attitude of convenience, always looking for the next best bargain with no thought to how our products have been made, and the effect they’re having on people across the world. But working in the shop, being surrounded by products showing so much skill and creativity in the craftsmanship, reminds me of the importance of standing up for those who are being exploited and how spreading the word about Fairtrade, making a conscious effort to change our buying habits, can really make a positive impact on the lives of individuals all over the world!
What do you like doing in your spare time?
In my spare time I love spending time with family and friends, doing art, playing my flute, listening to music, and reading.