The manager of a charity vintage clothes shop has praised the voluntary work of students in the community. Without the students, the store wouldn’t have a “fresh” atmosphere.
The Sue Ryder store in Goosegate, Hockley, sells vintage and retro items. For the past four years, store manager Sophie Stephens has seen many students come and go to volunteer.
Up to 20 students on creative courses at Nottingham Trent University are currently volunteering at the shop. Ms Stephens praised students for their help in putting on a fashion show.
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She said: “We’ve always had a vibrant student base and a good relationship with initiative students who bring that energy. We’re connected with the fashion revolution society, they’ve been great and have helped me a lot.”
The show takes place on Saturday (April 2). Items on show will all be handmade garments and the items will be available to buy in store. Ms Stephens said: “The students have helped promote the show on social media and a lot of the behind the scene bits and have taken over with the planning which I left open.
"The visual merchandise team did the window display, I like giving people an opportunity to express themselves and we’ve had models come do a dress rehearsal which was really funny.” A range of students have been helping to get ready for the fashion show including fashion design, photography and fashion marketing students.
The handmade items are designed to be unisex and adaptable for all sizes. Ms Stephens spoke of the commitment of the students.
She said: “It’s inspiring seeing students and being around that charisma that NTU students have and that great energy. I think Saturday will be really good. In the past, we’ve done poetry workshops and a variety of events in collaboration with the community.
"The store has really benefited from the volunteering and the students say that they have work to do and deadlines are really passionate and committed. Without the students, the store wouldn’t be so fresh and there’d be no vibrant energy.
"We try to create a supportive atmosphere for them and they love shopping here, there’s such a community feel in Hockley and since reopening, people have been so generous with their donations.” On the day of the event, Sue Ryder will be offering 20 percent off handmade items in store and donated items.
Nottingham Trent Strategic Partnership Manager, Maggie Burnett, said: “This is a fantastic example of creative collaboration in the city. It involves students from a wide range of courses in the Nottingham School of Art & Design working together with the Sue Ryder organisation for positive benefit and a shared community experience.
“Over 20 students have volunteered their creative talents to bring this event to life in a unique and impactful way; their artistic ideas and design input have been invaluable. It has also been a great opportunity to develop our relationship with the local Sue Ryder team.
"Sophie is very innovative in her approach to running the Nottingham shop. She is open to new ideas and passionate about enabling positive work experience for our students who volunteer to work there.” The fashion show starts at 3pm on Saturday.
