Sept 013 - Spotlight on our Luz Shop Volunteers


Madrugada is supported in many different ways by our local community including people willing to give their time to volunteer. Linda Hardy and Heather Wells from our Luz shop have given away the secret – it´s fun as well as work!

Linda (59) and Heather (64) have worked in the Luz shop since it first opened and they both love it. They had busy careers before retiring here in the Algarve. “Volunteering is very social. I have made some good friends through the other volunteers and customers” says Heather. Linda likes the fact that every day is different “There is always something to make you laugh – usually it is one of us!”

Linda and Heather work one day a week in the shop sorting items, pricing, serving customers, answering queries and making copious cups of tea! Other volunteers work just a few hours per week and some work part of the year when they are here. There is a broad range of nationalities, age and experience. Everybody brings something different – we are very lucky to have a huge amount of expertise and a delightful mix of personalities.

As one volunteer put it “I like the fact that it is a day away from the usual routine – especially husbands!” Just in case you´re wondering we do of course welcome husbands to volunteer too.

But of course behind all of this is the knowledge our volunteers hold dear – their dedicated efforts bring support and relief to people very much in need. “Madrugada provides something very much needed:” said Heather “We all have known someone who has needed this kind of support and when you retire abroad, you never know when you might need it yourself”.


If you are interested in becoming a volunteer in our Charity shops or our Madrugada Centre, please contact our Madrugada Office on 282761375