Children’s charity Barnardo’s is celebrating the first anniversary of store at Yate Shopping Centre.
Shop manager Jo Ridler said it has been a great first year.
“We’ve been made very welcome, particularly by our neighbours in the Cancer Research shop and we often work together on events,” she said.
“We are lucky to have a large, airy store where we have room for larger items such as furniture in addition to the clothes, toys and bric-a-brac you find in most charity stores. Customers say we are like a mini department store.
“That extra room means we are always looking for donations.
“It also means that we need lots of volunteers, so if anyone has some spare time on their hands, we would love to hear from them.”
The store already provides work experience placements and welcomes students taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards but needs more regular volunteers.
“They can expect a friendly welcome and a supportive environment and if they have a particular interest then we encourage that,” said Jo.
“They become very much part of a family. Some of our volunteers are less mobile but there are still lots of things they can help with.”
Linnie Maddock began volunteering in May.
She said: “I’ve been made to feel extremely welcome. I really wanted to give back within my community.
“I hadn’t made many friends since moving to this area but now I have, and the team are like my second family. I love the interaction with the customers.
“I really enjoy volunteering for Barnardo’s, and my family say that since I have been here, I am a much happier and more contented person.”
The store regularly receives between 250 and 350 bags of donations each week but needs around 500 to keep ticking over, so Jo is also keen to encourage more people to support it.
Jo said: “By donating to a charity shop you are doing something which will really make a difference to others and in the case of Barnardo’s, that’s helping children and families who need support more than ever.”
Toys are a big seller and Jo urges people to have a pre-Christmas clear out, not just to make way for a child’s new toys but so that parents who cannot afford to buy new are able to stock up on gifts for their own families in time for Christmas.
“More and more people are choosing to do their Christmas shopping in charity shops for ethical as well as financial reasons,” said Jo.
“We have new ranges, a Christmas shop and of course lots of donated items.
“We also get all sorts of donations from companies like Amazon.
“Sometimes we are not sure what items such as a pack of plastic clips are actually for, but then a customer comes in and it’s just what they’ve been looking for!