Charity sets up shop to help get people active

ONE of Active Lancashire’s flagship projects has confirmed they are to open a new charity shop and community hub in Accrington’s Arndale Shopping Centre.

Called ‘Active Seconds’, it will build on the Challenge through Sport Initiative’s (CSI) physical activity roots and will be selling second-hand sporting goods to encourage people to ‘begin their wellbeing journeys’.

Donations have been secured from local organisations who will provide an ongoing stream of items for the store, but these alone won’t be enough to support stock levels and so the team are asking for donations from the general public too.

All proceeds from the store will go directly back into the project itself, allowing for their team of support workers to continue carrying out life-changing initiatives for the benefit of Hyndburn residents. The space at the back of the store will help support the delivery of the project, with a designated area to be used to carry out meetings, training and physical activity sessions.

CSI is a county-wide project for people in recovery – mainly from substance misuse but also including help for people with mental health issues, gambling addictions, isolation and just as importantly, their families.

More than 200 Lancashire residents are supported monthly by their team of 10 mentors, but while the support for residents has been constant, the funding for the project has changed.

The decision to set up the shop not only provides a well-placed base in the heart of the Accrington community, but it also might allow for the project to be self-sufficient, with income from the store going directly into keeping the project to running.

Project lead, Jane Moodie said: “We are incredibly grateful to be offered a shop that will enable us to build a much needed active, social community hub for us and our partners to support our participants. The thought of becoming self-sustainable to continue our excellent work and expand our project is just fabulous.”

‘Active Seconds’ can be found on the ground floor of the Accrington Arndale Shopping Centre and is set to open on Friday, December 4, depending upon when the national lockdown ends.

If you have any unwanted outdoor/gym equipment, sports and leisure wear or general household items, please call Jacob on 01254 785986.

Active Lancashire’s Challenge through Sport Initiative are set to open their first premises in Accrington