Dumfries and Galloway charities benefit from volunteer hours pledged at Kinder Shops

Nine charities are benefitting from more than 600 hours of voluntary service pledged through two pop-up Kinder Shops in Dumfries last year.

Customers were asked to pay “with kindness” for everything from tricycles to wrought iron garden benches in June and a selection of Christmas gifts, toys, homeware and hampers in December.

Figures released by The Cumberland Building Society, which is behind the initiative, show that more than 200 hours were donated to MOOL (The Massive Outpouring of Love) project, the Queen of the South Trust, Kate’s Kitchen, The Bridge, Sustain Scotland and Mossburn Community Farm from the summer event.

And at last month’s pop-up day in the Loreburne Centre, people pledged more than 400 hours of their time to help Queen of the South Community Trust foodbank, Dumfriesshire Scouts and the Food Train during 2023.

Kinder Shops were also held in Cumbria and, combined with the Dumfries events, raised more than 2,000 hours worth of volunteering.

The Cumberland, which funded the venture as part of its commitment to kinder banking, said the shops have not only generated much needed help for charities but also a wave of generosity which has lasted beyond the five one-day pop-ups.

Ryan McCubbin, manager of the Cumberland branch in Dumfries, said: “Many of those who volunteered had never done so before and some enjoyed it so much they have carried on volunteering long after ‘paying’ for their Kinder Shop goods. The response to our Kinder Shops has really blown us away. We already knew that people in the communities we serve are generous, but we have been
amazed to see how positively people have supported the shops and the concept.

“So many have been keen to roll their sleeves up and help a charity, walking into one of our shops has provided the opportunity for them to do so. Kinder Shopping really is an enjoyable experience.”

The concept has also been welcomed in the community. Ian Mitchell of Dumfriesshire Scouts, said: “The Kinder Shop is an excellent idea because it encourages people to volunteer for and if they like it they might commit to doing more.”

Dumfries Provost, Councillor Tracey Little, who visited the shop in the summer, said: “I think it’s a wonderful way to highlight local charities and encourage people to get involved with volunteering.”