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One-stop charity shop hits the high street as Mind opens first superstore in Longton

Monday, 29 November 2021 Mind

On Friday 26 November, Mind opened its very first superstore on The Strand in Longton. The ribbon was cut by Jack Brereton, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, who welcomed locals to the store alongside Andrew Vale, Managing Director of Mind Retail, and Mind’s Regional Manager, Teresa Utley.

The superstore – which is Mind’s biggest charity shop yet – offers everything from vintage must-haves to bric-a-brac bargains and furniture on the bustling high street, sitting in the centre of the community. Donations and sales made at the Longton Mind shop will go to help support the one in four of us who will experience a mental health problem every year.

Mind’s shops have been on the high street for over 50 years and rely on over 3,000 volunteers and 450 dedicated staff across England and Wales to keep shops running.

They welcome residents to donate pre-loved items and shoppers searching for affordable fashion or gifts for loved ones. All the shop’s profit goes to support Mind, for instance by helping the charity deliver care and 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.

Teresa Utley, Mind’s Regional Manager, said: “We’re so excited to welcome the people of Longton 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 secure a better deal for 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. Longton Mind shop is pleased to accept clothing, accessories, books, records, DVDs, CDs, homeware, furniture, linens 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 Longton 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: mind.org.uk/supportyourshop

Don’t forget that when in-store, you can also 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.

Pop by and visit Longton Mind shop at 70-86 The Strand, Longton, Stoke On Trent, ST3 2PD

Ways to get involved

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