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Home-Start Aberdeen to host family fun day to mark 10th anniversary of shop

Karen Milne, manager of Home-Start's charity shop on George Street in Aberdeen is looking forward to the fun day on Saturday.
Picture by Darrell Benns/DC Thomson.
Karen Milne, manager of Home-Start's charity shop on George Street in Aberdeen is looking forward to the fun day on Saturday. Picture by Darrell Benns/DC Thomson.

An Aberdeen charity will mark the 10th anniversary of its charity shop with a family fun day this weekend.

Home-Start Aberdeen will kick of its 10th anniversary celebrations with a packed day of activities at its George Street shop on Saturday.

As well as having the chance to hunt down some bargains, youngsters can enjoy some colouring, balloons and festive tattoos – and meet Alfie the bear.

The event is just the beginning of the celebrations for the charity, with many other activities planned for 2023, including a spring shopping day and a huge raffle.

Home-Start Aberdeen – which supports vulnerable families – has seen many changes since opening the shop, most recently an increase in customers – but also a drop in donations.

While this could be because more people are reusing and repurposing items, shop manager Karen Milne said items were needed all the more as the cost-of-living bites.

Alfie the Bear will be attending Home-Start Aberdeen’s family fun day this weekend. Here he is pictured with Harry McBain, and Brenda Fraser. Supplied: Home-Start Aberdeen

Change of the times

She said: “It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole decade since we opened our George Street shop – in some ways it feels like only yesterday.

“It’s been interesting to reflect on footfall in the shop during that time – the first few years were very busy, then we noticed a gradual drop in shoppers, then Covid hit. But we seemed to come back stronger after the pandemic, with a high number of repeat customers as well as plenty of new ones.

“I think people are more conscious of recycling and repurposing now than they used to be – we’re definitely seeing fewer donations. We always welcome items for the shop and would never turn anything away.”

With less than a handful of paid staff, the charity is keen to celebrate the contribution their volunteers have made over the last 10 years.

They’re also keen to hear from anyone else who would like to get involved. Duties can involve being involved in the shop, sorting donations or helping put together Christmas packs from the Cosy Up appeal. 

Karen Milne, shop manager at Home-Start Aberdeen, hopes people might find some Christmas bargains during the fun day. Picture: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Ms Milne added: “We have a great wee team here today, and we couldn’t do any of it without them, but we always need more help.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming families to the shop on Saturday – with plenty to keep kids entertained, we want to offer parents and carers the chance to have a quick browse and maybe pick up a bargain for Christmas – the beauty of a charity shop is that you never know what you might find.”

For the last 30 years, Home-Start Aberdeen has been supporting vulnerable families affected by social isolation, bereavement, illness and financial hardship.

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