From Communicare to Communishop

Communicare are like the Citizens Advice Bureau but local to us in the east of Reading. They do a great job of providing expert advice in practically every area imaginable to people in need and also help filling in forms. I personally have found them really helpful in the past and am always recommending them to other people.

In these tough times with need going up -- as people lose their jobs and benefits are cut -- and funding being cut across the board it will be a challenge for all charities to keep their heads above water. Creative thinking to keep the money coming in is definitely necessary! As always Communicare is rising to the challenge with the Communishop project which will provide affordable second-hand goods, keep things out of the landfill and be another hub in the community all at the same time -- not to mention providing some more income for Communicare. More power to their elbow!

A message from Communicare and a list at the end of what they need to make this project happen:

As many of you will know we have had the vision of opening a charity shop in the Cemetery Junction area for some years.

We have now located premises and we are in the process of signing a lease which will give us possession of the shop on 1 December.

We are excited by this new project and are confident that it will allow us to realise a vision of sustainable funding and opportunities to expand our current community involvement. It will give us the opportunity to offer voluntary positions to local people.

The shop will be another visible presence of Communicare in the neighbourhood. We expect to be able to offer useful pre-owned items as well as handmade items and gifts for a reasonable price to local people, thereby building up a focal point in the neighbourhood, a community shop in which local people have a vested interest and commitment, and from which the proceeds feed into the work of Communicare.

The sense of community ownership starts here!

We want to open the shop as soon as possible after 1st December, and to do this without wasting money, it needs clearing, cleaning, refitting and setting up.

WE NEED YOU to help by donating the items and gifts of help that we need to set up and run a general charity shop.

Please look at the suggestions below and contact Sarah at Communicare to make your donations.

Communicare is at 233 Kings Rd, Reading (behind Wycliffe Church),
and is open Mon 10-3, Tues, Thurs 10-4, Fri 10-1.
Telephone 01189263941. advice@communicare.org.uk

HELP we need Volunteers
We need labour from 1st to 10th December to clear refit, fetch & carry
Can you donate your handmade crafts for us to sell?
Can you offer transport or delivery?
We need volunteers to work in the shop
We need you to donate saleable goods
We need someone to make a photo portfolio/study/blog of our progress. This is ideal for a photography student!
Electrician - do you know a good reliable electrician available 1st - 5th December?

Loans of money
Clocks
Plastic garden furniture
Bookshelves
Display case
Towel rails
Clothes rails
Coat hangers
Size Indicators for coat hangers
Mannequins
Small trolley
Storage boxes

Sewing Machine
Sewing items - needles, cotton, buttons etc.
Washing machine
Tumble Dryer
Vacuum Cleaner
Toilet Roll Holder
Fridge
Ironing board
Jewellery stands
Shoe racks
Outdoor planters
Mirrors

Health & Safety sign for shop premises
Leaflet display cabinet
Calculator
Notice boards
Storage boxes
Cleaning materials
Bathroom cabinet for toilet area
Mugs
Teapot
Tea towels
Teaspoons

Bubble wrap
Tissue/Wrapping paper
Carrier bags

What else will we need to set up shop?
What else can you give to save costs in fitting out the charity shop?