YMCA Ashford County Square Charity Shop

On Nelson Mandela Day, we remember the legacy of a remarkable leader who fought for justice, equality, and reconciliation.

Let his courage and compassion inspire us as we work towards a world where every person is treated with dignity and respect.

As yesterday marked World Youth Skills Day, let's recognise the importance of training and educating young people to shape a brighter tomorrow.

Volunteering has been proven to improve young people's self-confidence, growing their skill set to help them find employment.

Come find out more about how you can help us to support young people while gaining essential retail skills by becoming a at your local YMCA charity shop.

By investing in youth, we equip young minds with the ability to innovate, adapt, and thrive in this world.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2D63iP9

Thinking of having a Summer switch up? 🌞🌻

From braving new fashion styles to daring new sofa colours. 🛋️

We're here to help you make way for your new purchases.

By donating your items to one of our stores, you will not only be making that space you need for those new jeans (90's flares are back in you know!) but you will also be supporting your local community. 👖

For larger or furniture items, our teams can even arrange to collect these free of charge, so now there's no excuse not to buy that green sofa!

To find your nearest YMCA Store, head over to our directory here ⬇️:

https://bit.ly/3yUVok5

Whether you're looking for an itsy bitsy teenie we**ie yellow polkadot bikini for National Bikini Day, or a new pair of sandals, our shops have got you covered from head to toe! ☀️🏖️🩱🩴

Get ready for your well earned break, have some fun in the sun, all while supporting a great cause and preventing items going to landfill!

And if you're staying in the UK, our shops also have a great selection of warm and waterproof items too! 🌦️🌂

We're late, we're late for a very important date!

Today marks Alice in Wonderland day. 🎩🍭

Have you lost yourself down the rabbit hole to any interesting reads lately? 📖

Your local YMCA charity shop have some wonderful tales for all ages and at prices you won't lose your head over. 🥳

We're sure you'll be grinning like a Cheshire cat with your new purchases.

We are ready to fill your canvas bags this International Plastic Bag Free day!

You will find everything from clothes to costumes, plates to cushions in our stores.

Congratulations to Gareth Southgate and the team for making it through to the last 16 in !

Now the hard work begins! 💪

Why not visit your local shop to pick up a patriotic bargain - your purchase will support young people as well as our national team. ⚽🏷️

Happy !

YMCA is proud to support diversity and inclusion, from the colleagues we work alongside to the young people we support in the communities we serve.

Wishing a very Happy Father’s Day to each and every Dad and Carer out there.

Looking for a gift?

Whatever the occasion may be, you're bound to find something at your local YMCA shop!

All of our stores are brimming with unique items for loved ones of any age. From books, vinyls, DVDs and games, to stylish clothes, accessories, homewares and more.

Shopping with YMCA means not only will you find something different to gift, but you'll also be supporting a 180 year old organisation committed to serving 700 communities across England and Wales, as well as saving items from landfill.

To find your nearest shop visit: https://bit.ly/3yUVok5

That’s a wrap on 2024’s Volunteers’ Week! 🥳✨

While our Charity shops have been celebrating their volunteers, YMCA has turned 180 this week!

Congratulations to our current volunteers who join the thousands of volunteers who have supported young people from the very beginning. 🙌

To every volunteer: Thank you for your time, energy, and unwavering commitment. You truly are at the heart of what YMCA delivers to almost 700 communities across England & Wales.

If you're interested in joining our community of volunteers who help us raise vital funds in our shops, then please pop in to your local store to get started.

On this day 180 years ago, George Williams, alongside 11 others, founded YMCA in London.
Today, YMCA has grown to serve 65 million people across 120 countries.

6 June is a day to celebrate YMCA and all it has achieved, as well as our ongoing commitment to empowering young people and strengthening communities.

Thank you to all our amazing volunteers.

As we begin we’d like to take this opportunity to recognise the support our volunteers give to our stores. From providing excellent customer service, to sorting through donations, everything you do helps support young people in almost 700 communities across England & Wales.

Happy Volunteers’ Week and thank you!

At YMCA, we believe everyone should be able to live authentically and without fear of discrimination.

This , let's celebrate diversity and stand together in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

This we're highlighting the amazing Kim!

Kim has grown and developed in her role, progressing from a volunteer through to a Store Manager, and now she brings all that experience to her current role as an Area Manager. Kim has worked diligently in each of her roles to learn as much as she could about our organisation, our sector, the products we sell and more. She is often our go to person on subjects such as furniture valuations and authenticating designer handbags. Kim says "Learning at work is a continuous process which keeps the day job interesting and exciting. I love putting new learnings into action and seeing the results."

If you're interested in learning more about YMCA or you'd like to join our team, please visit ymca.org.uk

Did you know 77% of volunteers reported that volunteering improved their mental health and wellbeing❔💭

This why not visit your local YMCA charity shop and speak to the team to find out more about volunteering.

Not only does this look great on your CV, but you can also make new friends and learn new skills.

The money you help raise goes towards helping transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people each year in hundreds of communities s across England and Wales.

Find your nearest YMCA Charity shop to check out the latest opportunities!

https://bit.ly/3yUVok5

This , reach out to someone you've missed and get moving with or by simply having catch-ups over a cuppa. 🍵

There's many ways we can make sure our loved ones are keeping healthy in mind, body, and spirit. ✨

Learn more: bit.ly/3qPiNVj

Every child deserves to have positive outcomes in life.

We can help make that a reality by investing in their education, physical health and mental wellbeing.

YMCA collectively works with 166,039 young people, children, parents and carers to provide the best possible start in life.

We provide a safe space for 34,698 young people through our extensive youth services offering.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3Oi9DrW

Did you know an estimated £140m worth of clothing is sent to landfill every year? (source: WRAP)

Many of these items just need a new home! 🫶 This is where we come in...

The campaign is highlighting the opportunities presented by upcycling items, including clothing. 🔁

You may have items at home that you no longer love, or that have seen better days - but they could be someone's new favourite item to wear once they've been ! 🆙

Why not bag them up and donate to your local YMCA charity shop - and don't forget to Gift Aid it! 🛍️📦

Having a clear out this Bank Holiday❔

We'll be waiting with arms wide open, ready to receive your pre-loved items to be reloved in our charity shops! 🎉

And if you already have plans this long weekend we look forward to receiving your donations soon.

Please call us to arrange a FREE furniture collection if you have larger items to donate.

Your unwanted items will make a real difference to the lives of young people. ✨

Find your nearest YMCA charity shop here👇:

https://bit.ly/3yUVok5

Remember to gift aid your donations! 🏷️

📢 Did you know by extending the life of a garment by an extra 9 months you reduce its environmental impact by 20-30%❔ (source: )

This 🪡shop with us to contribute to a sustainable planet. 👕

Give a garment a new lease of life.

Congratulations to Lewis! 🥳✨✨

Well done on running the 🎉🎉

It’s a huge achievement in aid of a huge cause – thank you.

If you can show Lewis your support with a donation, big or small, both he and YMCA would be VERY grateful. 🩵

Donate here ⬇️:

https://bit.ly/4dhHFbN

Please like and share this post to continue helping Lewis with his marathon fundraising efforts!!! 💪🏆

We'd like to say a huge Thank you to all of our volunteers. 🧡🙌

People have been offering to help and assist others in times of need for centuries.

Volunteering takes different shapes and forms, but all are equally rewarding to those who donate their time.

Our fantastic volunteers contribute to the achievements of our stores and their efforts mean YMCA can support young people to thrive in their local communities. 🌟🥳

Ask us how you can join our team this 🎉

The London Marathon is just around the corner – and our fantastic volunteer Lewis is busy making his final preparations for 26.2 miles of hard work! 💪

Please show your support for Lewis - his grit and determination to complete such a daunting challenge in order to raise funds and awareness for the work of YMCA England & Wales is amazing! 🥳

Please like and share this post, and if you can then click the link below to donate - every donation, big or small, adds up and allows us to support young people. ⬇️

https://tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/lewis-everitt-9d297

Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating Eid al-Fitr!

Make your Spring clean more rewarding by donating your unwanted clothing and items to your local YMCA store! 🧹🪞🧺👒👕✨

You'll be saving the planet while helping to support young people. 🙌

Not able to get to us❔Please contact us to arrange for a 🆓 collection. 📞

You can also enhance the value of your donation by signing up to Gift Aid.

Please ask in store for details.

We're different! 📢

Money raised in our charity shops goes towards helping transform the lives of hundreds and thousands of young people each year in hundreds of communities across England & Wales. 🌟

Happy Easter to everyone celebrating! May your Easter be filled with joy, love, peace and hope.

We look forward to seeing you to shop and donate this bank holiday weekend.

Open as usual, apart from Easter Sunday when all our stores are closed, so our amazing store teams can have a peaceful day.