Volunteer appeal as new charity shop opens in Hartlepool

Manager of the Shelter shop Alison Wicks-Jones (2nd left) and volunteer Debbie Cooper cut the ribbon to open the Shelter charity shop at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool as (left to right) Lisa Coupland (volunteer) Mark Rycraft (shopping centre manager) and Debbie Day (volunteer) along with staff look on. Picture by FRANK REID

Housing charity Shelter has moved in to a unit withinthe Middleton Grange Shopping Centre in Hartlepool.

The charity will be in a shop which will also double up as a base for the local community to access advice on housing issues.

The Shelter charity shop at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool. Picture by FRANK REID

But it will offer much more as well as advice on housing matters. It will also sell furniture, clothing, books and bric-a-brac, vintage mirrors and shabby-chic desks.

Now, Shelter is calling on people to come in for a browse or donate items of furniture that they no longer use.

The charity is also asking people with spare time to consider volunteering. A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in retail skills, team leadership and customer service is available to all volunteers and it only takes a few months to complete.

Sales from the shop will help fight homelessness. In the last year alone, two families in the North East became homeless every day..

Store manager Allison Wicks-Jones said: “We’re calling on the residents of Hartlepool to help support our new furniture shop at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, so we can be there for everyone fighting bad housing or homelessness.

“We are excited about the opportunity to be a part of this community, working with and for the people who live here. By donating a little of your spare time, a pre-loved piece of furniture, or even just by heading down to shop, you can make a big difference.”

The store will also be part of the charity’s Homestarter scheme – a service providing furniture to help struggling families settle into a new home, often after a period of homelessness.

Middleton Grange Shopping Centre Manager, Mark Rycraft said, “The work Shelter does with the homeless or those struggling with bad housing is inspiring, helping millions of people every year. We’re delighted to have such a valuable organisation right here in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and we know it will have the full support of all our customers.”

To donate stock or find out more about volunteering pop into the shop, call (01429) 868069 or email [email protected].