HOME-MADE jams and handcrafted jewellery will be among the items on sale at Chester’s newest charity shop.
Save the Family’s flagship store, on Chester Street, Saltney, will also sell clothing, furniture, books and other donated items.
The charity, which provides emergency accommodation, training and support to homeless families throughout the North West, has opened the store as part of an ongoing social enterprise initiative, developed to encourage new skills and independence among the families it supports.
As well as making chutneys and craft items to sell in the shop, residents at the charity’s Plas Bellin centre in Northop Hall will be encouraged to volunteer and gain retail experience.
Save the Family shop manager Cheryl Edwards explained: “Opening this shop is a great opportunity for Save the Family. Not only will we be able to raise much needed funds for the charity, we’ll also be able to offer our residents some practical experience in the shop and the satisfaction of seeing their jams, jewellery and craft items sold.
“I’m hoping we’re going to be inundated with customers in the run up to Christmas and so I’m planning to appeal to the public for volunteers. Any help or donations they can give would be extremely welcome.”
The shop was opened by Chester’s Lord Mayor Cllr Brian Bailey.
He said: “I am always delighted to support the work of Save the Family. I have seen at first hand the invaluable work that Save the Family does in helping the hundreds of struggling families facing life on the streets.”
Founded by Edna Speed MBE, Save the Family was established more than 30 years ago and has helped keep more than 5,000 homeless families together.
The charity receives 400 referrals each year but can help just one in eight of the people referred to it.
To become a shop volunteer contact Cheryl Edwards 07789 173308 or visit www.savethefamily.uk.com
