A MORTIMER golf club has donated a considerable sum to a charity shop that offers retail training for young people with additional needs.
Dave Cooper from De Vere Wokefield Estate Golf Club presented a cheque for £2,000 to JAC In A Box charity shop store manager, Sharon Bailey.
The money will enable the charity to expand its trainees’ work opportunities after they leave the store.
“We’re very grateful to Dave and the golf club,” said Ms Bailey.
“Their donation allows us to produce a newsletter, written by the young people, and start a conversation with local businesses who might be able to offer our graduates further work experience.
“Even a couple of hours a week would enable the young people to show just how much they have to offer, and give them a better chance of future employment.”
“They’re kind, hard working and reliable, but they would fall to pieces in an interview.
“So this new project explains what we do and what our young people can offer in the workplace.
Set up by Chris Pape, JAC moved to its current location three years ago, where it provides retail experience and training for young people aged 16 to 25 with additional needs.
Working alongside volunteers, the trainees are able to learn transferable employment skills.
They engage with the public, sort donations, operate a barista machine, and conduct electrical PAT testing.
They also learn to use the till, window dress, and manage the stock control system.
In store items are all open priced.
People pay what they can afford or what they consider fair.
Chris Pape died in March last year, and the charity recently marked the anniversary of her loss.
“She was an amazing person,” said Ms Bailey.
“She was absolutely passionate about young people with additional needs, and about helping the poor.
“It was she who started our pick your own pricing system, so that it didn’t matter if you were a millionaire or had no money.
“You could still take what you needed.
“We have been continuing the great work Chris started and we are now supported by 24 wonderful volunteers.
“We have up to 50 young people working shifts at the shop throughout the week, and everything in the shop is done by them.
“Our volunteers work alongside them, modelling good retail skills and customer service.
“And at the end of their time with us our trainees leave with a certificate, having gained AQA unit awards.
“It gives them written proof of what they did with us and all the skills that they have acquired.”
Dave Cooper, who handed over the cheque, is the parent of a JAC trainee.
He said: “JAC is such a welcoming place, and makes it really easy for young people to join the team and get experience.
“And its pick-your-own pricing helps people in financial hardship.
“So I’m really pleased to be able to support the charity, and hope to be able to make another donation for a different JAC project later in the year.
“And I’d like to thank the generous members of the golf club and the William Cooper Memorial Fund.”
JAC stands for Just Around the Corner.
Visitors should note that like its name, the entrance is just behind the shop, or they may accidentally walk past the Denmark Street shop.
For information about the charity shop, visit: www.jacoutreach.org
To find out about the golf club, visit: www.devere.co.uk/wokefield-estate
