The Church is made up of Christians from a myriad of different professions, and yet their ordinary tales of God at work rarely get told. In this series, we bring you stories of faith on the frontline
My name is Olivia Haysman-Walker, and I’m the manager of a second-hand charity bookshop in London. I manage a team of 25-30 volunteers.
The volunteers are both the best and most challenging part of my job. It’s not just about delegating tasks, it’s about ensuring they feel valued, supported and enriched. I love training people, whether they’re volunteers in my shop or staff preparing to work in other bookshops.
I knew I wanted to work with books but not write them. I realised my options were either publishing or bookselling, and I was drawn to the latter. I began volunteering at a charity bookshop while studying English at university, eventually rising to deputy manager and then manager. I’ve worked in many of the charity bookshops in west London and seen a variety of management styles.
I love books, but what makes my job special is the human connection they create. I see two layers of creativity: the books – exploring subjects I’ve never heard of – and the personal histories within them, from notes in the margins, love letters, photographs, even hate letters. In a busy city like London, my work reminds me that everyone is created in God’s image and has a unique story.
I see God’s provision all the time. The only guarantee in my shop is me showing up. Everything else – our stock, volunteers and customers – depends on the generosity and enthusiasm of others. We raise tens of thousands of pounds to help create a fairer world. Every now and then, while I’m counting up the money at the end of the day, I pray over it, because it’s such a blessing.
In my role, I see the heights of human generosity. It’s also striking how often people come in asking for Bibles. One of the most memorable books I’ve sold was a 1924 English first edition of The Theory of Relativity by Albert Einstein, donated by a volunteer’s father.
The volunteers know I’m a Christian, and some are Christians themselves. Working weekends means I rush off to church on Sunday evening, which can naturally lead to conversations. I try to build strong relationships with volunteers and customers, taking a personal interest in them.
Please pray for the health and wellbeing of me and my team. I rely on my volunteers, and their support is invaluable. Please also pray that great new people will walk through our doors and join us.
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