Nelson’s Journey has become the new charity partner of Norfolk’s Reuse Shops, which sell on items that have been donated by members of the public. Chief Executive Simon Wright explains what it means for the charity
Nelson’s Journey, the Norfolk-based charity which supports children and young people in the county who’ve experienced the death of a significant person, has been chosen as the new charity partner of Norfolk County Council’s Reuse Shops. Each year, staff across Norfolk’s Reuse Shops nominate and vote for a local charity to benefit from the partnership. The chosen charity receives a share of the proceeds from the shop’s sales.
Since 1997, Nelson’s Journey has been supporting children and young people in Norfolk with their bereavement needs, helping them to understand and cope with their feelings. The charity also supports professionals in the county who work with children, such as teachers and health workers, to help raise awareness of issues affecting bereaved children.
Simon Wright, Chief Executive of Nelson’s Journey, says: “We are so grateful to the staff of Norfolk’s Reuse Shops for choosing to support bereaved children and young people in the county. Nelson’s Journey has experienced a growing number of families across Norfolk contacting us about their children’s needs following the death of a significant person, and as a charity we rely on the support of our local community to respond. We’re looking forward to working with Norfolk’s Reuse Shops so that together we can bring back smiles to more of Norfolk’s bereaved children and young people.”
For the past three years, Norfolk’s Big C Cancer Charity has been the partner, and in that time has seen over £85,000 raised for the cause, including £33,938 in the last year of the partnership. Karen Vincent, Chief Executive at Big C Cancer Charity says: ‘”We have had a fantastic partnership with Norfolk County Council’s Reuse Shops over the past three years. Big C is a Norfolk cancer charity dedicated to supporting local people affected by cancer, whether that’s the patient, a family member, or carer. The substantial funds raised [through this partnership] are making a real difference to the people we support. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this partnership such a success and raising vital funds to improve the lives of those in Norfolk affected by cancer.”
Councillor James Besnly, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste at Norfolk County Council said “I’m proud that we are continuing the charity partnership scheme at our incredibly popular Reuse Shops. Nelson’s Journey is a wonderful local organisation doing important work helping children and young people who have lost someone they are close to. Our outgoing charity Big C have been great to work with and it’s wonderful that we were able to donate so much money to help them continue their good work. When visiting our Reuse Shops, not only can you pick up a bargain, but you’ll also get the chance support a great local charity.”
Housed in most Norfolk County Council recycling centres, Reuse Shops sell on items that have been donated by members of the public. Everything from furniture to kids toys to electrical items and much, much more can be found in Reuse Shops. Supporting Reuse Shops, by either donating or buying items is a great way to save money, cut waste, help others and protect the planet.
To date, the reuse shops have raised over £120,000 for local charities as part of the charity partnership scheme, other charities that have benefited include the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
For more information visit norfolk.gov.uk/reuseshop, nelsonsjourney.org.uk and big-c.co.uk.
Featured image of (front to back): Gary Stevens, Funding and Marketing Manager, Nelson’s Journey; Karen Betts, Reuse Manager, Norse Environmental Waste Services (NEWS); Kate Murrell, Waste Reduction and Recycling Manager, Norfolk County Council; David Lake, Operational Contracts Manager, NEWS inside Norwich North Reuse Shop – supplied by Norfolk County Council
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