From volunteer to valued employee: Emma’s Journey

5th February 2026

Volunteering at the Autism Hampshire charity shop has helped a young autistic woman gain the confidence and experience she needed to secure a paid retail job.

When Emma Cansfield moved to Fareham in 2021, she told her carer she didn’t want to spend all her time at home - she wanted to do something meaningful. That decision led her to Autism Hampshire’s charity shop, where she began volunteering three days a week.

Now in 2026, Emma is a confident young woman with a paid job she enjoys, thanks in large part to the experience and encouragement she found at the shop.

Emma, who is autistic, is now 22 and works four days a week at B&M in a role she secured after building up her confidence, communication skills and retail experience through volunteering.

“I used to cycle to the charity shop,” she said. “When I first started, I was with the shop manager and she walked through all the training with me. She said, ‘I want you to go on the till straightaway.’ I learnt the basics at the shop. I’m more confident talking to people than I was before.”

Emma shares her in home in Fareham with two other people, all supported by a carer.

When a new B&M store opened in Fareham, she worked with her carer to secure the new job and then got to work converting the space from a former Argos into a fully stocked shop.

“It was full of empty shelves - it was like a maze,” she remembered. She began by stacking shelves, then supported on the shop floor, and eventually found her place behind the tills - even using the Tannoy. “A couple of years ago I wouldn’t have done that. I got over my fear. Now I don’t even hesitate - I’m very loud on the Tannoy!”

Emma also proudly wears an Autism Hampshire keyring on her work badge. “When I applied, I filled in a disability form. It takes me a bit longer to work things out than most people. But the staff are really understanding. Before the store first opened, they told me, ‘If you ever need help, you can always call us.’”

Although she now works at B&M, Emma still drops into the shop and helps when she can. Ruth, the current shop manager, says the team really misses her.

“Emma had such specific knowledge about everything modern - she was our go-to for gadgets and always managed to get things working,” said Ruth. “She also had a great understanding of computer games. Over time, she recognised that she brought something unique that no one else did, and she knew she was a valued part of the team.

“She’s been with us a long time, and everyone thinks the world of her. We all care about her deeply - she’s part of the family.”

Emma’s advice for anyone thinking about volunteering? “Just go for it - or you’re going to miss out on the future.”

Visit our volunteering webpage to find out more about volunteering opportunities across Hampshire.