Community Shop Supports Syston Residents with Cost-of-Living Grant

A community organisation in Syston has shared how they used £1,000 in grant funding to support vulnerable residents in the town.
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.
Second Time Around, a community interest shop located in Syston Town Square focuses on reducing waste by selling second hand items. The proceeds are invested back into the local community through activities and events.
After seeing an increased demand for essentials such as toiletries, towels and clothing for new-born babies, the shop applied for a cost-of-living grant to create ‘bare necessities’ boxes filled with basic items for vulnerable people in the community.
Each box 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 added: “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 on their journey when the baby was born.
Cllr Liz Blackshaw, the Council’s lead member for communities and neighbourhoods said: “We know it has been a difficult time for residents as they continue to navigate their way through the rising cost of living.
Second Time Around is an excellent example of how cost-of-living grants have benefited residents who are struggling financially and have a limited or no support network.
In addition to the borough’s amazing network of community organizations, I would like to thank Second Time Around for assisting residents in obtaining essential items, which I’m sure were greatly appreciated.
We are continuing to update the Council’s website with cost-of-living information, advice and useful links, and I would encourage anyone who is concerned to take a look and access the support they need.”
For more information about what support is available to help with cost-of-living issues, please visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/cca
Second Time Around welcome any donations for the shop: bric a brac, ladies and mens clothing, books, household etc. as they are running low. Either pop in with your donations or telephone 0116 319 1311.