Mental health charity Mind has opened a new shop in Newcastle where customers can pick up bargain clothes, furniture and vintage items.
The store, located in Jesmond, opened its doors on Tuesday by Tyneside and Northumberland Mind CEO Alex Wilson and Head of Counselling and Welfare at Newcastle University, Kirsty Hutchinson, who both welcomed locals to the store alongside the shop team.
The shop offers everything from stylish clothing and vintage must-haves to bric-a-brac bargains and a range of high quality furniture. Located on St George's Terrace, the shop is full of colour and unique items providing a bountiful shopping experience for all who visit.
Donations and sales made at the Jesmond Mind shop will help support the one in four of us who will experience a mental health problem every year. The charity welcomes residents to donate pre-loved items and encourages shoppers searching for affordable fashion or gifts for loved ones.
Mind's shops have been on the high street for over 60 years and rely on over 3,000 volunteers and 450 dedicated staff across England and Wales to keep shops running.
All of the shop's profit goes to support Mind, which includes helping the charity deliver support in local communities via its network of local Minds, or to fund vital advice and support services such as the Mind Infoline.
The average bag of items donated to Mind shops is worth around £30. This amount could help 45 people find hope during tough times on Mind's online peer support community Side by Side or help Mind send out 250 information booklets, so people who are struggling with their mental health can make sense of what they are going through and find ways to cope.
Regional Manager, Emma Walker, said: "We're so excited to welcome the people of Jesmond to this new Mind shop. Only with the community's support will we be able to raise vital funds for Mind's work such as the Infoline, information and advice services, and the campaigning Mind does to support the one in four of us who experience a mental health problem every year.
"There are very easy ways that everybody can get involved such as donating quality items, volunteering in the shop, or simply shopping at the store. I urge locals to visit the shop or get in touch to find out more about how they can support us."
Mind is asking locals to support the new shop in three simple ways:
- Drop in and donate: Each bag of donations, however small, could make a big difference. Jesmond Mind shop is pleased to accept clothing, accessories, furniture, bric-a-brac, homeware, and children's games and toys. To find out more about making donations, visit: mind.org.uk/supportyourshop
- Pick up a bargain: Mind shops add new items of stock to the shelves every day, so no two shopping experiences are the same. Pop into Jesmond Mind shop regularly to be the first to see the latest bargains and thrift for unique treasures.
- Lend a hand: Volunteering doesn’t need to be a big time-consuming commitment – even just an hour a week could make a huge difference. It’s a great way to make new friends, build confidence and can also be a route back into work. To find out more about volunteering visit this link.
When in-store, customers also have the option to make a further contribution to Mind's work by filling in a Gift Aid form potentially allowing the charity to claim 25% of the sale price of the donations from the government in Gift Aid.
The Jesmond Mind shop is located at Asprey House, St. George's Terrace, Jesmond, NE2 2DL
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