Syston community shop helps 'vulnerable people in the community'

They've handed out ‘bare necessities’ boxes filled with basic items to local residents.

A community organisation in Syston has used its £1,000 in grant funding to support vulnerable residents in the town.

Second Time Around, a community interest shop located in Syston Town Square applied for a cost-of-living grant to create ‘bare necessities’ boxes filled with basic items for vulnerable people in the community.

As part of its Charnwood Community Action campaign, Charnwood Borough Council awarded over £37,000 to various projects and community organisations to help them to continue supporting residents struggling with the rising cost of living.

Each box Second Time Around makes is tailored to meet the individual needs of recipients who range from single parents, people struggling with debt and elderly people who live on their own and are housebound.

Around 25 boxes have been delivered across Syston so far.

Victoria Reed and Jackie Henson, directors at Second Time Around explained more about the project and how the grant funding has helped.

Victoria said: “As a shop which focuses on supporting the community, we wanted to do more to help those who may be struggling to afford essential items through no fault of their own.

“We have a list of residents who need our help and we also work with Age Concern Syston who make referrals as people can be too shy or embarrassed to ask for help.

“We fill boxes with the items they need most and often hand deliver them in our own time. We include a little card with a code word inside the box for future use. It can be used at future visits to the shop and is a way of asking for help instead of it being a stigma.”

Jackie said: “The grant we received enabled us to buy brand-new items which have made a real difference to people. Those who are elderly or don’t have any family are very grateful and sometimes just appreciate seeing someone and having a chat.

“The shop is there to help the community and we are always open to receiving new donations of unwanted items.”

The community shop has also provided 12 boxes to new parents to support them when the baby was born.