Since January, 51-year-old Jax Temple-Smees, from Horsforth, has volunteered with Leeds Hospitals Charity at their Merrion Centre shop.

Now Jax’s passion for volunteering has inspired her husband and two sons to also give up their time to help the charity continue to raise vital funds to support over one million patients treated at Leeds Teaching Hospitals every year.

As an upcycle volunteer, Jax, a practising artist and maker, rescues unwanted garments from the rag bag, items deemed unsellable due to damage or wear, and reimagines them with artistic flair. Jax has created more than 30 unique creations, from vintage jackets adorned with repurposed ties to designer pieces given a new lease of life with simple repairs. Her creations are not only sustainable but also one-of-a-kind.

We spoke to Jax about why she loves volunteering so much:

“We all gain so much out of volunteering with the charity. I love the challenge of making something interesting and durable. It’s about minimising waste and maximising the value of donations. I think about how things fit together, how they’ll wear over time. I don’t want anything ending up back in landfill within six months.”

It wasn’t long before Jax’s 19-year-old son Nero, who is neurodiverse, started volunteering at the charity’s Horsforth shop, something that Jax says has really helped build his confidence before going to university.

After seeing how much his mum and brother were getting out of volunteering, Jax’s eldest son, 24-year-old Moomin wanted to get involved. As an appraiser for Vintage Cash Cow, Moomin shared his expertise to help identify valuable pieces and advise on whether to sell or scrap for maximum return.

Not wanting to miss out on what was becoming a family affair, Jax’s husband Adam, co-owner of an antique shop in Horsforth, was the last member of the Temple-Smees family to get involved. He recently shared his e-commerce knowledge with the charity’s online sales team, offering tips on listing optimisation and sales strategy.

Jax was inspired to volunteer because both her sons were born in Leeds and her brother spending much of his childhood being treated for chronic asthma at Leeds Children’s Hospital. She told us:

“We’re really close as a family, it’s just how it has always been with us. We’ve worked together as a family before, and it’s lovely that we’re all supporting a cause close to our hearts. With so much of our family’s care rooted in Leeds, supporting this charity feels incredibly meaningful and we all get so much out of it.”

See our latest volunteering opportunities here