Even when shops were allowed to reopen last summer, many charities faced staffing problems. Last January about 23,000 people had paid jobs in charity shops, with 10 times that number – approaching a quarter of a million people – volunteering, according to the CRA. “Probably between a third and a half of those volunteers were unable to come back because they were vulnerable or shielding, or lived with people who were, or didn’t want to use public transport,” said Osterley. “It has been quite a significant issue for members, although we have also seen a new breed of volunteer during the pandemic – people who’ve been furloughed or who have lost their jobs and are keen to do something useful.”