What is a Mothers' Union Rep?

50% of the sales and orders for products through Mothers’ Union Retail are placed by our Mothers’ Union Representatives; a dedicated team of volunteers that sell MU products at church events, Mothers’ Union meetings and more. The reps have been an integral part of the retail unit since it began and without their dedication, the shop would not be able to reach as many members and friends as it currently does. By promoting and selling goods all over Britain and Ireland, the reps help raise much needed funds for Mothers’ Union so the charity can continue to do its valuable work.

Even throughout the difficult Covid-19 years, the reps persevered – hand delivering parcels to their neighbours and friends, taking numerous phone calls from customers in their diocese, handing out flyers, and holding stalls in their front gardens to continue to raise money.

We asked some experienced reps, from both small and larger areas, if they could give one piece of advice to a new rep just beginning what would it be? Valerie from Diocese of York makes sure she 'has a good range of products. Allow travelling time… and enjoy the challenge of selling to promote MU Worldwide and its projects. [Also] enjoy what you do and relax even if you have forgotten something…' It is equally important '…to find the best way for yourself' Margaret explains, our rep in Leeds. Everyone works differently and the reps order at different times, different quantities and for different reasons.

Having a stall at events is a wonderful sociable opportunity. Margaret enjoys 'meeting other MU members and getting to know them, both at events and by telephone. It is a lovely way to raise funds for MU and make friends at the same time.' Margaret explains, 'the events I attend are mostly fundraising ones, tea parties' and Joanne, the Bangor retail rep since 2012, is 'busy selling at the break times in meetings.'

Joanne knows that being a rep is 'a very important role for any diocese as it bring in funds with the grant payment' and 'it’s a great way [of] promoting and encouraging new members'.  A percentage of the money reps spend purchasing products goes back to the diocese as The Turnover Related Grant. This money has helped the Diocese of Bangor; Joanne says, 'we prepare bags for people suddenly admitted to hospital, we have generous members who donate items, but we do have to purchase some from time to time, so the Grant money is very useful for this.' Our rep in York says the TRG grant 'helps to run the Diocese [and] to fund our AFIA caravan.'

The retail team supports their numerous reps through weekly newsletters, emails, phone calls and regular zoom meetings. The Zoom meetings began over lockdown; they have proven so useful that they are now held twice a year and it’s a lovely time to converse with other reps from all over B&I and share ideas. The reps are vital as they are ‘on the ground’ and have experience of what works in their area and have direct feedback from customers.

There are over 100 reps representing dioceses across the country but sadly, there are a few diocese without a rep, which we hope to fill in the future. If you would like more information about supporting Mothers’ Union and your wider diocese, please do get in touch: enterprises@mothersunon.org