We’re a charity shop with a difference! We run like any other charity shop, taking in donations and selling on, but the difference being we provide volunteering opportunities to people with disabilities, learning difficulties and mental health issues. Over 95% of our volunteers have some form of additional need that has had an impact on their confidence and working lives. Here at the Phab Shop we aim to change that impact by boosting confidence and skills in a relaxed working environment.
Finding a job is hard enough, but for people with disabilities and learning difficulties, this can be an impossible task, either through lack of training, experience or most commonly (although probably not formally acknowledged) misconception of the fact that someone with additional needs would be incapable of fulfilling the job role. Therefore, we provide…
The Phab Shop gives our volunteers the opportunity to take control of their lives by giving them the confidence and ability to become an employable and productive member of any workforce.
We are a self-sustaining training centre, which means all money raised through The Phab Shop goes directly into supporting our volunteers by providing opportunities to gain skills and confidence in working and social environments.
I have been working as a manager at The Phabshop since 2017, I can honestly say it is the most rewarding job I have ever done I am working with some amazing people that have overcome huge obstacles in their lives and continue to do so on a daily basis, but always come with work positive and with a big smile. Every day working here is a pleasure. We are a big happy family 🙂
Hi, my name is Amanda. I became involved with Southend Junior Phab as a volunteer as a teenager and I am now working in the Phab shop supporting our volunteers with day to day tasks. I thoroughly enjoy working in the shop and I feel privileged to be able to work with some wonderful people, watching their confidence grow and personalities shine!
Hi I’m Jenny, I set up The Phab shop in 2012 with an idea, passion and crossed fingers! I wanted to set up a self-sustaining charity, a charity that didn’t rely on grants to run, where adults with additional needs can boost their self-confidence and gain experience and skills. The shop is a platform for people to show hidden talents and show the world what amazing things people can do when given the opportunity to shine!
Having this little voluntary job means such a lot to me, it gives me a feeling of self-worth and the fact we are helping a charity makes me feel like I am putting something back into the community.
There’s always plenty to do in our shop with roles to suit everybody, including sorting and processing donations, helping customers, supporting other volunteers and operating the till.
If you have an eye for design you could try arranging the shop or a window display. You don’t need any special skills, and volunteering in our shop will enable you to meet lots of different people, be a valued member of a team and learn new skills.
If you’re interested in applying for a role as a charity shop volunteer come in and say hello and pick up a form!
Good quality, clean clothing and shoes (including vintage and retro items)
Bags and accessories
Jewellery
Books
CDs, vinyl, DVDs, Blu-rays and musical instruments
Homewares: china, kitchenware, ornaments, pictures, collectables
Soft furnishings: small rugs, linen, curtains, blankets, bedding (must be clean and in good condition)
Toys, games and puzzles
Mobile phones
Small furniture
Stamps and coins
Small/Medium electricals
We also welcome any old clothes or textiles that are no longer usable, as we can still raise money from them by selling to textile merchants.
Anything broken, dirty, incomplete or unsafe
White goods (cookers, washing machines etc)
Large furniture
Safety headgear (e.g. motorcycle crash helmets)
Children’s car seats
Food and drink
Counterfeit items
Used duvets and pillows
If you are unsure about any item please just ask in store or call us on 01268 928078!
If you would like raise money for us by planning an event, undertaking a sponsored activity or even just donating money please come in and speak to one of our managers who will be happy to help or contact us using the form below and we will get back to you asap. We are extremely grateful to anyone who is able to give up their time and arrange fundraising for us and we will help as much as we can!
Come in, have a look around and say hello! You never know what treasures you will find! We keep our prices low so everyone can grab a real bargain!
Like our Facebook page: The Phab Shop or follow us on Twitter
Did you know you can make your donation worth 25% more?
If you’re a UK tax payer, all you need to do is fill out a simple form and we can then claim back 25p for every £1 we receive from the sale of your donation! At no cost to you!
Next time you drop off a donation, ask to fill out our gift aid form. Your details will then be added to our system, so for any future donations you will only need to give us your name, simple!
