FOR more than 25 years, Age Concern Crediton has operated its charity shop at the top end of the High Street in the town.

Throughout that time, the shop has received strong support from the local community, both in donations and in purchases, for which it is very grateful.

The money raised by the shop has helped Age Concern Crediton, a free-standing local charity, to develop a range of services to help older local people maintain independent living both in their own homes and by using the charity’s Day Centre in Deep Lane.

Covid-19 forced the closure of both premises, but the charity has been able to reinvent itself and initiate a wide range of help to its previous clients and others during the lockdown.

These have included having experienced trained staff telephoning clients at home through the week to keep in touch and try to prevent anyone becoming isolated in what have been very challenging times.

Staff have also been shopping for clients and delivering prescriptions to them in their own homes. And, as has been featured previously in the “Courier”, the charity now delivers free meals twice a week to up to 50 people at a time using local volunteers.

The shop itself, in what was previously a terraced house, is renowned for being quirky and off-beat!

Unfortunately, this has meant that the charity has not found it easy to devise a plan to make it Covid-secure as required by government guidelines, which are proving a challenge to shops everywhere.

As time passes and if restrictions ease, it may be possible to consider reopening as before. In the meantime, in order to maintain a service and, hopefully, to raise money to support the ongoing work of the charity, the charity will operate a “Pop-Up Shop” at the Day Centre in Deep Lane.

Starting on Friday, July 24, with opening hours between 10am and 3pm, this will become a regular Friday affair until the situation changes and the shop can reopen.

The shop will be able to accept debit and credit card payments and will provide a bucket for cash. Potential customers are asked to please bring their own bags for any purchases.

No donations can be accepted at the Deep Lane Centre and these should continue to be taken to the shop at 50 High Street, on Wednesdays and Thursdays only between 10am and 2pm.

As a local charity providing local services to local older people, Age Concern Crediton is very dependent upon the support of local people and businesses.

The onset of Covid-19 reinforced how generous those individuals, businesses and other bodies could be in helping the charity financially to maintain its services.

Age Concern Crediton can be contacted in working hours on weekdays for advice, help or information on 01363 775008, or email: [email protected] or via Facebook.