Our second Barnstaple store is brings something a bit different to the heart of the town.
This setting is not only a unique and innovative charity shop, but it is also a vibrant Community Hub for local people to gather as well as to shop. The aim behind this retail venture is to foster a sense of belonging in a space dedicated to local people, where they can come together to connect and to support one another.
Local community groups are invited to meet up, either to enjoy their own interests and crafts such as a knit and natter, or to support the charity by mending donations in need of repair.
The centrepiece of this community workspace is a large table with seating for ten, which has been set up in memory of Averil Kingdon a much-loved former Devon Air Ambulance employee.
Averil worked for the charity for 17 years as Manager of the charity’s original Barnstaple shop across the road from the new Community Hub. Sadly, Averil passed away in spring 2023. She was well-known within the Barnstaple community for her networking with traders and different local groups while tirelessly raising the profile of Devon Air Ambulance within North Devon.
Supporting the circular economy
Our Mishap Fashion range is a collection of donated items that would have previously been recycled due to minor faults such as a missing button, broken zip or loose hemline. Such garments are now available to buy at a discounted price.
With the cost of living crisis in mind, supporters keen on mending are welcome to come along to the shop to show their support by repairing these items for the charity, allowing them to sell for the best price possible.
By and for the local community
Located in Boutport Street not far from the town centre, the shop and Hub brings new life into preloved items, offering them a second chance to shine. The vast selection of kindly donated goods features a wide range of products, including clothing, accessories, footwear, homewares and more.
With a strong focus on sustainability and giving items a second chance, the charity employed local tradespeople to utilise reclaimed timber and donated materials to complete the shop fit, even the display equipment was donated by their very supportive landlord who has supplied shop fittings from another store that had previously closed, thereby making sure that the charity can make best use of the limited resources.
Benefits for North Devon patients
Not only does this shop act as a community hub, it also brings benefits to potential patients in North Devon. With a space for the charity’s rapid response Critical Care Car at the rear of the unit, the DAA clinical crew are using this new location as a base for their operations, enabling them to be dispatched quickly in the event of an emergency.
As with the majority of the Devon Air Ambulance charity shops, positioned at the front of the building there is also an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) available for community use 24/7 should anyone need to use it to assist someone in Cardiac Arrest.
If you are a local community group and you are interested in using the community workspace at DAA’s new Barnstaple shop, contact Shop Manager Kevin Brown at [email protected] for more information.
