Monthly pop-up shop helping those in need in Telford

The pop-up shop, Nu 2 U, which is at Meeting Point house in Southwater, Telford, is open on the first Wednesday of every month.

‘Shop’ is also a slightly misleading term for the premises too, given that all its items are available for free.

It was open for its second time earlier this week, and handed out 120 items to people coming in.

The idea came from Lee Ellis, a 36-year-old from St George’s in Telford.

Lee works for the charity Talent Match, which helps get 18 to 24-year-olds into work, and the organisation has helped him set up the shop.

Volunteering

The room for the shop, which has clothes, sanitary products and toiletries, has been donated by Meeting Point House.

Lee said that some of the young people that Talent Match helps have also been volunteering at the shop to get experience of work.

He said the idea was not just to help the homeless, but people struggling to make ends meet.

“The first day we were open was quite quiet but this time we gave away around 120 items, all to different people from different backgrounds," he said.

“We do not pose any judgment. If you feel you need our help then come in.

“We had a lady come in who apologised for being there. She said she works and her son was at uni but she was struggling so she got a few items for her son.”

Lee said they would be looking at expanding and running the shops in other areas.

He added: “Don’t feel too proud, just come in. We are here to help.”