Sir Robert Buckland MP announced a new initiative to help promote local charities during August which will see a different local charity every week shared on his website, his social media pages and also discussed with the local media where possible.
This week he has chosen – The Shop – in Cavendish Square, Park South.
The Shop is an independent local charity, which has been open for almost twenty-four years serving the local community in Park South and beyond by selling affordable clothing and household items, as well as being a a hub of information, guiding people to other local charities that might be able to help, as well as supporting new groups and ventures by promoting them and offering support where possible.
The Shop regularly facilitates Councillors’ drop-in sessions, as well as short courses that empower the local community. Over the summer holidays, The Shop has funded Woodland Activity days with over 80 children, including teenagers, making the most of the outside, making new friends, and having a great time. It is hoped that these sessions will continue over the next few months, either after school or on Saturday mornings.
Mr Buckland has recently donated six reconditioned laptops through his Laptops for Local Schools and Charities Scheme to The Shop.
The laptops were then programmed by local business, Excalibur, and are ready for local residents to use for booking appointments online or contacting the council.
The shop can also provide tuition to use the laptops if needed through the Digital Inclusion Team at Swindon Borough Council.
The Shop is very fortunate to have over thirty regular volunteers to help run and maintain the charity so it can remain open for 28 hours every week. However, that does not mean they have enough.
As some of the volunteers have become confident and secured paid work it means The Shop has vacancies if anyone would like to commit to as little as two hours a week. They are always sad to see volunteers go, but it is a wonderful achievement, that through The Shop, it’s training, and support, volunteers feel empowered and confident to get a paid job when originally, they preferred to volunteer and offer their valuable services free of charge.
Besides their valued volunteers, The Shop could not offer the variety of items that they do if it was not for the donations they continually receive.
The Shop pride itself on reusing, recycling, and reducing waste as much as possible. Prices are set so people can afford them. Why not pop in and see for yourself what The Shop offer and maybe pick up a bargain at the same time?
For any further information please call 01793 529938 or email theshop1@btconnect.com. No query is too small.
