Thrift volunteers ‘so excited’ to get to work

The ‘Thrift’ secondhand clothing and goods store in Northside Shopping Centre will be run by young people on the ‘Ready, Steady, Go’ project, delivered by the Liberty Consortium.

The workforce, aged 16-25 years with learning disabilities and autism, will receive vocational training and work experience.

So far, 27 young people are completing their training and ‘cannot wait’ for the shop to open.

Sharon Tosh, project co-ordinator, said the programme is helping the young people build their confidence.

“For some of them it is really taking them out of their comfort zone and the training has been imperative.

“The young people are involved in every aspect of running the shop, from taking donations, washing or steaming [the clothes], pricing them and they will also be working on the till.

“These young people really want to be accepted in the community and want to have a job. This will place them at the heart of community and the training and work experience will prepare them to go out there and get a job.”

Sharon said the project provides the young people with ‘the structure they need, and gives them the right support, so that their voices are heard, and they can become integral members of their local community’.

She said the young people are really excited about the shop opening.

“For the last six weeks, during the training, that is all they could ask about. They are absolutely beside themselves with excitement and are so eager to put on their uniform and get to work.”

Thrift opens on Friday, December 11 at 12 noon.