vInspired opens Goodstock, its first charity fashion shop for young people
Howard Lake | 9 February 2015 | News
Youth charity vInspired has opened Goodstock, its first charity shop. Situated on Oxford Road, Manchester, at the heart of the student district, the boutique fashion shop and event space is targeted at young people.
Goodstock represents an attempt to “redesign the charity shop experience for a new generation”.
Research by vInspired found that many young people felt that most charity shops were not targeted at young people, and that stock often looked old-fashioned to them.
Interior of Goodstock, vInspired’s youth charity shop in Manchester
Fashion-conscious clothing
The elegant shop is run by young people, and all stock will be carefully selected from donations received so that they appeal to young people’s style and the brands they recognise.
It has a clear shop layout, bright shop displays, and event space for performances and workshops across all three shop floors. The charity is engaging with young entrepreneurs with a view to them using these spaces to engage with customers and sell their products and services to the public there.
Goodstock, vInspired’s youth charity shop in Manchester
Gaining skills and confidence
As well as generating funds, Goodstock will also give young people the chance to enhance their skills, employability and confidence through volunteering in the shop. All profits from the shop will be reinvested in vInspired.
Moira Swinbank, vInspired Chief Executive said:
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“Goodstock is an exciting new venture for us as it fulfils two huge goals for vInspired. Our research found that retail was one of the top five sought after industries for young people, with nearly 40% choosing it as a desirable career choice. Through Goodstock we are able to offer a space for young people to gain experience and skills within the sector through volunteering and entrepreneurial opportunities within the store”.
She added that a high street presence for vInspired was also valuable in another way. She said:
“We reached 41,897 young people last year – helping them set up their own community projects, linking them up with charities that needed their help and giving them opportunities to take part in mass national campaigns. By having a presence on the high street, the shop will help vInspired reach thousands more passionate young people who want to do great things.”
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.