What is a Freeshop

A FREESHOP is a community shop where people can come together to support one another...

Fighting back against Cost of Living Crisis

A FREESHOP is a shop which is stocked with donations from the community. People clearing out cupboards and lofts bring items to the shop. Volunteers sort through donations and arrange them in a shop format.

Anyone who is struggling can visit the FREESHOP and take as much as they need (the only rule is no re-selling)

Run by volunteers

A FREESHOP brings the community together to help one another. Surplus items donated by shops / factories / businesses and individuals are available for anyone who needs them. The shop is open everyday of the year for the community and is run by the community.

Volunteers at the FREESHOP report that by volunteering , feeling proud of themselves and their community they report an increase in 70% in their mental health and well being (2023 Impact Study Maya’s Community Support Centre).

How is it sustainable ?

The beauty of the FREESHOP is it is mostly funded by the community. A £1 entry system (with pay it forward tickets for those who don’t have £1) funds the rent and running costs of the shop. As a Community Interest Company (CIC) – Non profit Maya’s Community CIC has also benefited from grants from both local government and private foundations.

It is truly a community shop , funded by the community, manned by the community with a purpose to serve those most in need.

A FREESHOP is a pre-recycling centre

Many traditional charity shops will have strict exclusions as to what they can and can’t take. Over time this led to an increase in items being taken to landfill. A FREESHOP accepts all items (excluding car seats and knives). Items not suitable for re-use are sold for rags.

Our model is based on the proven, award-winning approach of Maya’s Community CIC, whose directors are supporting us with systems and procedures. Their recent impact study shows they supported over 116,000 people in 12 months, generated £2.1 million in social value, and diverted over 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ from landfill.

Items not going to landfill , not being needed to be re-manufactured and shipped half way round the world saves CO2

Why Herne Bay ?

Canterbury district (including Herne Bay) has become relatively more deprived compared to other English local authorities since 2019. Coastal towns in the area, including Herne Bay, have historically experienced higher-than-average deprivation due to the decline in domestic tourism.