Alternatives Training Shop

We have our own large Charity Shop in Spondon which we have operated since 2010. We are situated on the Chapelside precinct and very near to bus routes to and from the City Centre.

The Training Centre/Charity Shop opens 6 days per week and we have spaces on several days for new learners. Often, we find that learners wish to have a blended day between the Shop and House Six. The Shop (and all of our Spondon services) have been really well received by the local community who have been supportive on many levels, for example, buying second hand goods that are for sale and donating goods to be processed for sale.

There are so many different tasks that each person can learn during their time with us from sorting donations, tagging clothes for sale in the shop, changing the window displays, serving customers on the till, testing to see if toys work, checking jigsaws are complete, labelling DVDs and CDs, etc. Full support and tuition are provided by our staff for every task undertaken by learners and this is gradually reduced as the learner becomes more skilled and independent.

Teamwork and professionalism are essential skills we teach so that the Shop itself can be run as a professional and income generating business. We don’t make a fortune but every penny helps towards the overall running costs of all of our services. We are able to arrange taster sessions for the Training Centre/Charity Shop so that any potential new starters can see what we do and speak with learners who already attend the Shop.