Families’ charity Home-Start Wessex had their opening of family charity shop at unit 11, Saxon Square, Christchurch, BH23 1QA.
The work began last year to transform empty retail units including redesigning and refitting the space to create a retail shop and a reading corner for families.
The charity said that shop staff will be able to signpost families to the support the charity offers and will host regular activities, such as storytime sessions, to bring families together.
Sarah Lean, Patron, cutting the ribbon at the Home-Start Wessex shop opening in Christchurch Dorset (Image: Submitted)
Kathy Fryatt-Banks, CEO of Home-Start Wessex, said: “Opening our first-ever charity shop is an exciting milestone in our charity’s development.
“Over the past few years, we have experienced significant growth, doubling our geographic reach across West Dorset, doubling the number of families we support, and more than tripling the number of support groups we run.
“The retail shop will deliver an essential revenue stream for the charity, while also enabling us to reach families in and around Christchurch in a new way.
“After such a huge amount of hard work, it’s fantastic to see the space transformed into a warm and welcoming environment for families that’s also functional as a retail unit.”
Sha added: “Special thanks must go to the Big Lottery, Talbot Village Trust, the SNG Commercial Support Fund (Sovereign Network Group), the Bernard Sunley Foundation, Tesco and J. P. Morgan. Their funding and support have helped to make our vision a reality.”
The shop in Saxon Square is now open to the public and will be open six days a week, run by a team of staff and volunteers.
The charity is also accepting donations of good-quality clothing, toys, and equipment for the shop. Items can be dropped off at the shop during opening hours.
They are also actively recruiting volunteers to assist in the shop, as well as volunteers to provide support to parents with young children across Dorset.
Home-Start Wessex has supported families in crisis, facing mental health struggles, financial hardship, isolation, bereavement, domestic abuse, multiple births, parenting challenges, and life in homeless shelters.