Mind to open The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, charity shop next week
A new charity shop stocking a range of vintage must-haves and bargains will open in a town centre next week.
Mayor of Woodbridge Eamonn O’Nolan will cut the ribbon at the new Mind store, in The Thoroughfare, on Wednesday at 11am.
The venue is in partnership with Suffolk Mind and will help fund raise for both charities, while also raising mental health awareness in the area.
The county and national branches of the charity have teamed up before on a shop in Bury St Edmunds, while another Mind store will open in Stowmarket next month.
Kelly Law, regional manager at Mind Retail, said: “We are so excited to welcome the people of Woodbridge to this new Mind shop and are thrilled to be working alongside Suffolk Mind once more.
“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.”
All donations and sales made at the Woodbridge shop will help to support the one in four people who will experience a mental health problem every year.
The average bag of items donated to Mind shops is worth around £30, which could help 45 people find hope in tough times through the charity’s online peer support community Side by Side.
Jon Neal, CEO at Suffolk Mind, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the national Mind charity in this exciting new shop in the heart of Woodbridge.
“Our mission is to make Suffolk the best place in the world to talk about and take care of mental health, and this new shop brings us a step closer to achieving that goal. We’re really looking forward to opening the doors and greeting our first customers.”
Funds raised at the shop will help Suffolk Mind fund a counselling session for someone who is struggling with their mental health.
In 2022-23, Mind shops across England and Wales collectively raised £6.5 million which helps fund the charity’s vital work such as the Mind Infoline, information and advice services, and the campaigning Mind does to support the one in four of us who experience a mental health problem every year.
Residents in and around Woodbridge can support the shop by donating items, lending a hand by volunteering or dropping in and picking up some of the items on sale, with new stock added every day.