It’s not often that buying a simple gift like a hand-made wooden hedgehog box, can help to transform a life. But that’s what is on offer at the new Doorstop Shop, which is selling a range of goods made by ex-rough sleepers in the carpentry workshop run by local charity, Faithworks.
One of the “trainees” who has been busy creating the hedgehog boxes said: “I love being down at the workshop – it gives me purpose in my day. I can now see a way forward that will not only help me put these new carpentry skills into practice, but also get some help in other areas of my life, like helping me to organise some driving lessons. That way I really believe I can get restart my relationship with my son, and leave my old way of life on the street behind”.
The shop opened on Saturday at its base at the back of St Johns church, Surrey Road – local vicar and Faithworks trustee, Rev Sarah Yetman, cut the ribbon to formally open the shop reminding people that this was also an e-shop, with all the wooden items (plus other donated goods) available on line as well. “This is such a great initiative – I love seeing the guys literally grow in Hope and self-esteem as they see that people actually want to buy what they made”
David Chidwick, Faithworks homelessness projects manager said: “This year has seen so many people who were living on the street get into temporary accommodation, which is great. But with teams from the local churches, we at Faithworks, wanted to start offering them a chance to use and develop their skills and get away from the boredom that can so easily overwhelm. Having this e-shop now means we can start showing their talents to the world!”
The shop will be open at St Johns each Saturday morning. And the on-line version with its range of planters, bird boxes, wooden Christmas trees as well as those hedgehog boxes can be found at www.bcars.org.uk/doorstop-shop.
Faithworks is one of the members of the Homelessness Partnership across BCP, working in tandem with others from every sector to help everyone find a safe place they can call home.