A local charity has hailed its time in the Hailsham Pop Up Shop as a complete success and said it’s raised a huge amount of awareness.
Georgina Baker from Headway East Sussex, a charity supporting people affected by acquired brain injury, has been speaking to Hailsham News and Talk about her time in the Pop Up Shop.
She commented; “We’ve had amazing support from the people of Hailsham, so many customers and people donating, also people have showed a genuine interest in the charity and the work we do.
“I’ve been on maternity leave and we had our names down for the pop up shop since last year, it was something my mum and I thought would be an experience, personally as we live in Hailsham, and to promote Headway. We at Headway have always discussed the idea of a charity shop so it was a way to test the water. Our services cover East Sussex so we wanted to raise awareness in Hailsham as a start, not just about our charity but also about acquired brain injury.
“We have enjoyed our time in the shop and meeting our fellow Hailshamers! It’s been very busy and we’ve got to know the regular customers.
“We advertised on Facebook and we had a slot on Hailsham FM, we advertised in the shop window as well but the posters were taken down when other occupants were in.
“The Mayor and Deputy Mayor very kindly, officially opened the shop which made us feel important and that our venture had started!
“We think the pop up shop is a great idea and have recommended it to others although I understand funding ends this month. If a different shop became available – one with disabled access, shelves, storage room and parking would make it much easier (not much to ask!) but generally the rent was cheap and location worked.
“Fortunately for us we had enough stock to rotate almost daily to keep customers interested, for a small shop running as a charity shop for a limited time we needed to keep it interesting and things at bargain prices!
“We have many services; a day service and Newick, outreach service in people’s own homes, a carers’ service and a counselling service, we also run 2 monthly support groups in Brighton and Eastbourne. Our mission is to help rebuild lives after brain injury.
“Headway don’t have a permanent shop yet, but working in the Pop-Up has given them some ideas for the future.
Georgina would like to express her thanks: “Everyone has been very supportive. I would like to thank my mum, Bridget, whose idea it was last year when we went on the list, my partner who has helped with shelving and keeping us organised! Thanks goes also to everyone who has donated items or time, it has been much appreciated and without your kindness we wouldn’t have been as successful as we have been.”
Look out for Georgina’s update for Headway on social media in a few weeks. Items will continue to be sold on Facebook for a week or so.
