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We’ve transformed an empty shop unit into a community project that offers free clothing to those in need.

The Not Shop, on Kentmere Road in Breightmet, hopes to meet the growing demand for clothing and we call on you to donate any unwanted items that could go to good use here.

We also provide opportunities for local residents to volunteer at the shop, gain customer service experience and develop skills to help them into employment.

As the shop is linked to our Breightmet UCAN Centre, we can also help customers with other issues such as debt and finances.

Vanessa Hamnett, our Breightmet UCAN Centre Manager, said: “The Not Shop aims to ease the financial burden of having to buy new clothes, particularly during the winter months. The cost of clothing is a concern for many families and can have considerable financial impact on households that are already squeezed.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity so far. What’s been remarkable is that the people who are using the shop are also donating their own old items. There’s a real sense of togetherness.

“We’ve received some fantastic support from local businesses, too. Drew Brady, the textiles company, has very kindly donated items and we’re in discussions with more businesses in the area who are keen to help out.

“We’ve been able to secure external funding and have employed a local resident part time to help us. We’re also currently looking for a volunteer shop manager who has a background in retail or customer service to help manage the running of the shop.

“We hope the project will be a stepping stone to even more opportunities and will offer some much needed support to families and individuals in the area."

Local resident Melissa Waring added: “I think it’s a brilliant idea and especially good for families.

“I’ve most recently used it to get hats and a coat for my two year-old, who loves going into the shop to say hello.”

The Not Shop is open Tuesday mornings from 10.00am until 11.30am, and Thursday afternoons 2.00pm until 3.30pm.

We’ve developed the premises as a flexible community space, to be used in different ways at different times to meet the needs of customers.

The Not Shop idea came from our staff suggestion scheme as a way to help communities and our staff have supported it with their donations.

Sue’s story

Sue works at the shop on a six month contract paid through Shaw Trust, an organisation that helps find people find work.

On Mondays, Sue works behind the scenes to sort, wash, dry and prepare newly donated clothes.

When the shop opens on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons, she’s also on the front counter to help customers find what they want.

In-between loading the dryer and finding boys jumpers on one of the shelves behind the counter, Sue told us why a job at The Not Shop has given her a new outlook and a better chance of securing permanent work.

“I’d been out of work since last year, when I had to leave my job at a supermarket after seven years.

“I was going to the work club at the UCAN centre to search for vacancies in retail but I was finding that my experience counted for nothing without a formal customer service qualification.

“I was putting myself forward to volunteer as I get bored if I’m not doing anything and I didn’t want to get stuck in a rut.

“Luckily, this opportunity came-up for me and I feel that I’m doing something that’s taking me somewhere.

“As well as working in the shop, I’m in the UCAN centre on other days doing a customer service qualification, which I do online.

"I did an IT course at the college so I’m fine on computers and there’s support from staff at the UCAN centre if I need. It works well for me.

“I like being busy in the shop and getting the clothes ready. The best bit is knowing that they can put a smile on someone’s face.”