Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire cut the ribbon at the opening of a new charity-run shop in Brewood on April 19.
Following the success and popularity of the Bilbrook AT Home Shop over the last 12 months, local charity South Staffordshire Community and Voluntary Action (SSCVA) has branched out and opened an outlet from its main office in the centre of Brewood village.
The shop sells a selection of daily aid to help people live in their own home for longer enjoying their independence and living more safely.
On the store opening, Gavin said: “I felt incredibly honoured to have been asked to cut the ribbon for the opening of this store. The SSCA should be applauded for the huge amount of good it does in the local community, helping people who might otherwise struggle to retain their independence.
“Many elderly people can find it difficult to carry actions - such as opening a jar - which the rest of us can take entirely for granted. Being able to purchase items that help with such daily tasks can make a massive difference to someone’s life.”
South Staffordshire currently has the largest ageing population in the UK, which means that the products the AT Home Shops offer are fast becoming necessities for many residents.
The Bilbrook and Brewood AT (Assistive Technology) Home Shops provide items for all areas of home life: oven shelf guards and kettle tippers in the kitchen; bath and shower mats to minimise slips and falls; pill boxes, electronic pill alarms and memory aids ensure medication is always taken on time.
The store also sells items such as low wattage, high lumens light bulbs for the visually impaired, tool kits for hearing aids, as well as radar keys for disabled toilet access.
Shop manager Emily Simmonds said: “We go the extra mile at no extra cost to our customers to help provide the support they need. A range of items are available off-the-shelf at competitive prices, and if we don’t have what you need, we are happy to research and order items in on our customer’s behalf. We are very excited to be opening the Brewood shop and hope to welcome new and old customers alike from the local area”.
The Shops and Box of Trix are both projects set up and managed by SSCVA, the local support and development organisation for community and voluntary groups. Brewood and Bilbrook AT Home Shops run alongside a mobile service called the Box of Trix which visits community groups & venues in local areas.
The opening took place from 10am to 1pm. Complementary refreshments were provided and all guests were entered into a Free Prize Draw, kindly sponsored by a number of local businesses.
From this week, the new Brewood AT Home Shop will be open on Thursday mornings, 9am-1pm, at SSCVA, 1 Stafford Street, Brewood, Staffordshire, ST19 9DX.