A Cardiff mum is running her own walk-in free shop from her garage to help people amid the cost of living crisis. Becki Jones from Llanedeyrn decided on the spur of the moment to start the venture on October 3 and she's since gained thousands of followers on her shop's Facebook page.
The 30-year-old mum-of-three said she had always wanted to help the homeless since she was a little girl. But she realised everyone could do with some help, so she set up the shop for not only rough sleepers, but for all to visit. "It was an instant 'I'm going to help the world' thought," she laughed.
She began by giving away clothes in her house that she and her children didn't wear. She set up her Facebook page and asked whether anyone else would like to donate any items that could benefit others in need.
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She didn't expect much of a response, but within just 24 hours it "blew up". Becki began by driving around everywhere to collect donations herself, but after her petrol costs got too expensive, she asked people to drop off donations to her home.
The project became more popular and has now got 2,000 followers on Facebook. People have even donated brand new items and Becki posts pictures of the best items to her Facebook page. The only thing she doesn't accept is large items, like mirrors and baths - but she will post a picture of the donation and anyone who wants it can collect it straight from the donator.
Every night, Becki posts the shop's opening hours for the following day on her page. Sometimes this can be from 8am to as late as 10pm, so people who are working don't miss out. She leaves her gate and garage door open, so people can come in at any time, take what they want and leave.
It operates on a first-come-first-serve basis and is all confidential, with only a camera for security purposes. Becki also started a money bank on October 13, so people can leave a monetary donation when they visit if they want to - but she stresses this is not required.
By October 28, the money bank had raised £162.59. Becki used it to buy food to take to Cardiff Foodbank - enough food for 14 people to eat for three days. As for her shop, Becki she said she and her partner "can't get over" how many people it has helped.
"When I've been out there, I would say - I'm not joking - there have been over 100 people that have come here in one day. There's a lot. I've had a queue outside my gate the one day," she said. "I have had people crying on me. I've had a woman walk through the door with her little girl and she was like 'I am just so grateful.'
"It just shows that behind closed doors it is a lot harder than what people let on. A lot of people are too proud to admit that they're struggling." The donations have also been flowing in. When she restocks the garage every night, it looks like a "proper shop".
Becki used to work as a housekeeper for the NHS, but she decided to quit work in the pandemic after falling pregnant as she didn't want to put her baby at risk. She been a stay-at-home mum to her children every since, and her newborn is almost five months old.
Asked how she's juggled running the shop while raising her children, Becki explained she likes to keep busy. "Even when I was eight months pregnant I was painting my fence," she laughed. She aims to keep running the shop until January, but is considering opening it every winter due to its popularity - or even opening a permanent shop one day.
She admits it's been "non-stop" and she has taken a break this week. But she hopes the project will get bigger. "I just want as many people that can come. Everyone is welcome. The bigger it gets the better."
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