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 | Cumbria Times A Voice of the Free Press |
3:41 PM 19th August 2022
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Staycation Surge As Cumbrian Charity Shop Marks 10th Birthday
The Children’s Society shop manager Joe Murray (far left), sessional assistant Katrina Lees (fourth from the right) and volunteers celebrating the shop’s anniversary with balloons.
The Children’s Society’s shop in Cockermouth, has seen its weekly income almost double in the last 12 months.
Of all the national charity’s 104 shops, the store on Main Street made the second biggest contribution to its vital work in 2021/22.
The Children’s Society supports disadvantaged children including those affected by exploitation, those who go missing, children in care, young people struggling with their well-being and mental health, and young refugees.
It also campaigns for changes and improvements to laws, policies and support for children and young people, and is currently calling for more support for families affected by the cost of living crisis.
Manager, Joe Murray, who has managed both the charity’s Cockermouth shop and its Whitehaven branch at different times over the decade, said:
“Ten years is really good going for shops these days, but we are doing really well.
“Since Covid, more people are taking staycations rather than going abroad and being on the outskirts of the Lake District, we are getting a lot more visitors in town who are popping into the shop.
“On top of that, people’s budgets for things like clothing are being squeezed by the cost of living and I think they are also a lot more conscious about the downsides of fast fashion. So they are more likely to buy second-hand clothes and everything here is really nicely presented and laid out and we are known for our good quality and reasonable prices.”
“Ten years is really good going for shops these days, but we are doing really well.
“Since Covid, more people are taking staycations rather than going abroad and being on the outskirts of the Lake District, we are getting a lot more visitors in town who are popping into the shop.
“On top of that, people’s budgets for things like clothing are being squeezed by the cost of living and I think they are also a lot more conscious about the downsides of fast fashion. So they are more likely to buy second-hand clothes and everything here is really nicely presented and laid out and we are known for our good quality and reasonable prices.”
Joe added:
"The shop owes its success to support from the community, and from the 16-strong team of volunteers, many of whom gathered to mark the special anniversary
with balloons.
“We’ve got a really supportive team of volunteers and some of them have been here for the entire 10 years,” he added.
“My highlight has probably been seeing volunteers who have come here with no retail experience going on to get NVQ qualifications and paid retail jobs. It’s really rewarding to see that.
“I’d like to thank our regular customers and people who donate to us for their amazing support because it is thanks to them and our fabulous volunteers that
we are still going strong.”
"The shop owes its success to support from the community, and from the 16-strong team of volunteers, many of whom gathered to mark the special anniversary
with balloons.
“We’ve got a really supportive team of volunteers and some of them have been here for the entire 10 years,” he added.
“My highlight has probably been seeing volunteers who have come here with no retail experience going on to get NVQ qualifications and paid retail jobs. It’s really rewarding to see that.
“I’d like to thank our regular customers and people who donate to us for their amazing support because it is thanks to them and our fabulous volunteers that
we are still going strong.”
The shop is always in need of donations ranging from clothes, books and toys to jewellery, bric-a-brac and small electricals.
Donations can be dropped in at the shop, which opens from 9.30am-5pm Monday-Saturday and from 11am-3pm on Sundays – but people are kindly asked not to leavethem outside when the store is closed.
For more information about The Children’s Society visit
www.childrenssociety.org.uk