Alongside the food support provided to Blacon residents by Blacon Beacon, there will be an outlet for families living in Blacon to access free coats and shoes for children. Kidsbank charity will collaborate with us for this project. The store will be in Trinity Hall. It will need shelving and clothes racks installed to enable the maximum amount of stock. Additional storage to keep out-of-season stock may also be needed. We will recruit staff (initially one part-time manager, and then in due course also a part-time assistant) and also volunteers whose role is to manage the receipt and distribution of the stock.

What we'll deliver:

• Set up new store
• Recruit staff and volunteers to run the project
• Source stock
• Establish criteria and system for families to collect coats/shoes as required
• Start operating the new store!

Why it's a great idea:

When families are struggling to make ends meet due to the rising cost of living, and their children constantly growing, any support in providing the necessary clothing for the children will help greatly with their household finances. So the benefits are financial for the households in poverty, but also in the mental and physical wellbeing for all members of the family, through alleviating that financial stress.

Steps to get it done:

• Premises prepared
• Staff and volunteers recruited
• Stock built up
• Operations begin

Other expected impacts: Parents with lessened stress levels with assisting household budget Children with dignity and comfort of having good quality well-fitting coats and shoes.