Shopping centre staff donated their time and DIY skills as part of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, to help get the new-look charity shop ready to open its doors on the 12 February this year. As well as the manual labour, intu Watford has also donated some space within the shopping centre where HomeStart can store donations, so that the charity can rotate stock each season.

Around 12 intu Watford staff got involved in helping with minor DIY jobs and painting, as well as moving stock while the refit was being done, all in the name of a good cause. The refit was undertaken as a goodwill gesture by T&B, the company that does most of the store fit-outs at intu Watford.

HomeStart Watford offers support and friendship to families in need, through services including home visits, home help, family stay-and-play sessions, one-to-one support sessions, and counselling. The revamped shop has made a big difference to the local community and they have been able to help even more local families. 

Laura McConnell, Shop Manager, from HomeStart, said: “We would like to thank the staff from intu Watford for all their hard work – we really do appreciate your efforts, and couldn’t have done it without you! We are also extremely grateful to intu Watford for the donation of storage space for our stock and the donations we have received from the local community. The shop is doing extremely well so far and has been invaluable for the charity.”

Gary Henson, retail liaison coordinator for intu Watford, worked with HomeStart Nottingham in the 1980s and has had an affinity with the charity ever since. He said: “intu Watford has had a special relationship with HomeStart for some time now. For example, we fund a couple of children’s events for them each year. It really is a great charity, and we want to do whatever we can do to help. Our staff were delighted to get involved in this initiative for a great cause.”

HomeStart stock a fantastic range of men’s, women’s and children’s fashion, homeware, toys and vintage fashion which is updated regularly. If you would like to donate to HomeStart, you can do so by visiting their store on Queens Road. They are always happy to accept all kinds of donations and would really appreciate items such a children’s toys for all ages and household essentials like bed linen and curtains.

To find out more about the shopping centre, visit www.intu.co.uk/watford It’s time to discover intu Watford.