New charity shop run by deafblind people in Exeter
21 May 2013
Sense, the national deafblind charity, is proud to announce the opening of a brand new charity shop in Exeter at 157 Sidwell Street, EX4 6RT on 24 May at 10am. The charity shop will be run by Sense’s deafblind people and volunteers from the local community.
Sense hopes that the shop will offer disabled people the opportunity to gain retail experience and potentially meaningful employment. Very much like its successful partner project in the area, Café 55, which opened three years ago, this shop aims to provide deafblind and disabled people with work experience and become a vital hub for people with disabilities in the local community.
Debbie Bales, Shop Manager said:
“We are hoping that the shop will provide the chance to deafblind people to gain experience from working in retail while meeting like-minded individuals. We want this project to be a positive experience for all involved and to provide a friendly and safe environment, which enables people with disabilities to develop important new skills."
Jim Howat, Shop volunteer said:
"I'm really excited to be starting at the new Sense shop in Exeter, especially helping customers find this season’s must have item and creating eye-catching window displays. I've met the other people in the team and I think it will be great fun to spend time with them all. I'm looking forward to learning new skills and working with new people."
The new Sense shop will offer a wide range of quality second-hand and new goods: antiques and collectables, books, bric-a-brac, clothes and accessories, electrical items, household items, jewellery, music and DVDs and also jams pickles and cakes all made by Café 55 volunteers.
If you’d like to volunteer at the shop or if you have any unwanted items to donate please contact Shop Manager, Debbie Bales on 07771 820 878 or pop by the shop on Friday 24 May to meet the team and have a browse around.