Caring in Bristol launches charity shop like no other

One-off items from some of Bristol’s most famous figures are available from a charity shop like no other.

Caring in Bristol is launching the unique online store for a limited period to raise funds and awareness amid warnings of a “perfect storm for homelessness” this winter, which sees the end of furlough, the £20 a week cut to Universal Credit and spiralling fuel costs.

The shop is stocked with one-off items from well-known people in the city and beyond. Among them are a signed Broadchurch script by actor Joe Sims, a cookbook signed by chef Tom Kerridge, and a year’s subscription to Crack Magazine.

Customers are invited to log on and place a bid on the gifts available, with prices starting from £5.

Speaking about the charity’s latest project, Caring in Bristol director Ben Richardson says: “We are so proud of Bristol – it’s a brilliant, creative city with an activist spirit as evidenced by all the unique pieces so generously contributed to The Caring Shop.

“It is, however, a deeply divided city where the same opportunities aren’t afforded to everyone – 15 per cent of Bristol residents live in the ten per cent most deprived areas in England, and there are 70,400 people living in income deprivation.

“Thousands of these people are experiencing homelessness and insecure housing. This number is sadly set to rise as Universal Credit is cut, fuel costs skyrocket, and those who were previously furloughed are made jobless.

“This is unjust and unacceptable.  Nobody should have to worry about where they will sleep tonight and everyone deserves safe, secure accommodation free from the worry of violence and exploitation.

“Caring in Bristol is creating a city empowered to solve homelessness. For us, this means helping people move away from a homeless crisis, as well as the vital early work to prevent people from ever reaching that crisis point in the first place.

“We’re grateful for all the artists and collectives who have donated to The Caring Shop, and to everyone who makes a contribution via the platform. Together, we can make a real difference.”

Caring in Bristol has also opened a pop-up food shop for people at risk of homelessness this winter – photo courtesy of Caring in Bristol

Through this latest initiative, Caring in Bristol hopes to raise funds and awareness of an issue that is on the rise not just in Bristol but in the UK as national homelessness charity Shelter warns of “perfect storm for homelessness”.

The Universal Credit alone will see some 5.5m low-income families lose £1,040 from their annual income, creating serious financial hardship and pushing 500,000 people into poverty, the anti-poverty charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates.

Caring in Bristol has seen a rise in demand for its youth homelessness project. Project Z supported 23 clients in total in 2020, a number that rose to 36 in the first quarter of 2021, with a waiting list for support.

The online shop will be open until October 17 but items are selling out fast. Find out more and shop via www.thecaringshop.co.uk.

Main photo courtesy of Caring in Bristol

Read more: New pop-up food shop aims to break the cycle of homelessness

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