Work has begun to transform empty retail units in Christchurch, Dorset, into Home Start Wessex’s first-ever family charity shop and family support hub. The space, previously occupied by Holland & Barrett & M’s Bakery, will be redesigned and refitted to create a retail shop as well as a reading corner for families.
Retail stock will be suitable for families, offering a range of clothing, toys, and equipment. Staff will also be able to signpost families to the support that Home-Start Wessex offers, and plan to host activities such as storytime sessions to bring local families together. There will also be an online shop to help extend the charity’s retail reach.
For 30 years, Home-Start Wessex has supported families in crisis, facing mental health struggles, financial hardship, isolation, bereavement, domestic abuse, multiple births, parenting challenges, and life in homeless shelters, providing vital help when it is needed most.
Over the last year, the charity has transformed 1,716 lives, helping a record 526 families. Their reach covers the Purbecks, Swanage, Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, the whole of the BCP Council area, including Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, across the borders of Hampshire and Wiltshire, going as far north as Cranborne and Fordingbridge and as far east as New Milton – a huge area with a population of over 650,000, including many pockets of high-level deprivation.
Home-Start Wessex offers tailored services, including specially trained volunteers visiting mums at home, early intervention for high-needs families, and community-based groups. The charity currently runs 13 drop-in and referral-only groups across Dorset, including 2 for homeless mums in hostels.
Kathy Fryatt-Banks, CEO of Home-Start Wessex, said, “Opening our first-ever charity shop is an exciting milestone in our charity’s development. Over the past few years, we have experienced significant growth, doubling our geographic reach across West Dorset, doubling the number of families we support, and more than tripling the number of support groups we run.
The retail shop will deliver an additional revenue stream for the charity, while also enabling us to reach families in and around Christchurch in a new way. The lease has been signed, and the refit work has begun. We can’t wait to see the space come to life over the coming weeks. Special thanks must go to Talbot Village Trust, the Sovereign Network Group ‘Commercial Support Fund’, the Bernard Sunley Foundation and the Morrisons Foundation. Their funding has helped our vision to open our first shop become a reality.”
To support the shop, Home-Start Wessex has recruited two new full-time staff members who are already busy working behind the scenes to prepare for the shop’s opening. Ellie Stafford has been appointed Retail Manager, and Carla Milroy has been appointed Deputy Retail Manager. They will work alongside volunteers to run the shop six days per week.
Ellie has worked in the charity retail industry for 10 years, managing two highly successful charity shops in the Cotswolds and Bournemouth, working with both national and local charities. Carla also has extensive experience in both charity and counselling roles, having helped manage the Barnardo’s Charity shop in Winton for the past 10 years.
Commenting on her new appointment, Ellie said, “We are very excited to welcome local families into our shop and can’t wait to be part of the Christchurch community. Having worked with Home-Start Wessex for a few months now, I can honestly say the heart of this charity is its people. The family team, the volunteers – they’re what make this charity very special.
Carla added, “Everyone involved in the charity is so dedicated to making a difference to the families we support, and I am so happy to be part of the team. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive shop environment for our customers. Whether someone’s popping in for a browse, a chat, or to donate, we want them to feel seen, valued and part of something special.”
Once the refit work is complete and the shelves have been stocked, Home-Start Wessex plans to open the shop in February 2026. The charity is actively recruiting kind and compassionate volunteers to assist in the shop, as well as volunteers to provide emotional and practical support to parents with young children across Dorset. If you could spare a few hours a week to help local families through challenging times and make a difference in your community, please contact office@homestartwessex.org.uk. No experience is needed – just a big heart and a listening ear, as full training and ongoing support are provided.
The charity is now accepting donations of good-quality clothing, toys, and equipment for the shop. Items can be dropped off at the Home-Start Wessex offices (by prior arrangement) located at 1462 Wimborne Road, Kinson, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7AS. Telephone: 01202 574877.
https://homestartwessex.org.uk/