Help us Rhondda

Mission Direct got its first ever charity shop thanks to MD volunteer Lyn West.

Lyn made use of a shop left empty in the Welsh mining town of Ynysybwl, Pontypridd. ‘My sister retired from hairdressing and the shop was just sitting there doing nothing – I just thought ‘why not put it to use?’'.

To start with the store was largely stocked with the contents of her attic: ‘I am a terrible hoarder usually.’ explained Lyn ‘My son loves seeing all this stuff being cleared out, he’s a total minimalist compared to me.’ But as soon as the shop opened, the whole village swung into action, emptying its closets and cupboards and keeping the store well stocked.

‘We’ve had everything; furniture, china, books, electricals. it’s like an indoor car boot sale’ Lyn added. But the big hit of the store is brand new ‘I’ve never baked so many cakes in my life; chocolate cakes, loaf cakes, bread pudding, scones… they’re just flying off the shelf. I think I’ve found my new vocation.’