Derwen College charity shop celebrates fifth birthday

Derwen College is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its charity shop, The Vintage Advantage, marking five years of providing meaningful, customer-facing retail experience for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), while raising vital funds for Derwen Charity.

The anniversary comes as The Vintage Advantage enjoys a fresh spring makeover and a successful pre-season ticketed sale, which welcomed 65 visitors for a first look at colourful new spring stock.

The shop has also been re-organised into colour blocks, creating an eye-catching layout for customers and making it easier for students to sort and hang clothing as part of their retail training.

Molly, a Derwen College graduate, who has worked at the shop since it opened, said:

“I love sorting, tagging and hanging clothes the best. I started working here when I was a student and love that I’ve been able to keep volunteering once a week. I love working with the team here, though I prefer working behind the scenes.”

Opened in April 2021, The Vintage Advantage was created, from a refurbished classroom, to give Derwen College students hands-on retail experience in a real customer environment, building skills and confidence that support progression into employment and greater independence.

Since opening, The Vintage Advantage has received industry recognition, including the Innovation Award at the Charity Retail Awards in 2023, it won College Initiative of the Year in the Aico Community Awards in 2022.

Over the past five years the shop has grown, expanding into a space in the Garden Centre shop for gifts, homeware and books.

The Vintage Advantage supports students in a wide range of ways, supporting their online sales sessions using eBay and World of Books. The shop is also an ideal source for buying props and outfits for student performances and events, including this year’s Alice in Wonderland themed prom, with items such as china, mirrors and other themed pieces.

Sharon Jones, Assistant Commercial Development Manager, said:

“We’re proud to be celebrating five years of The Vintage Advantage, and I’d like to thank our amazing customers and donors for supporting us on that journey. Their generosity has helped us create a welcoming space where students, supported interns and volunteers can practise real retail skills.

“We’re lucky to be inundated with quality donations, and having an on-site distribution and donation centre helps us keep stock moving. We’re also looking to introduce Gift Aid on eligible donations, so supporters can boost their donation at no extra cost.

“It’s also been fantastic taking the shop out into the community, with pop-up stalls at charity events and at the Llangollen Faery Festival. Looking ahead, the team is exploring dedicated mother-and-baby sales and working with local men’s groups to host a men’s sale in partnership with a men’s walking group.”

Pete Evans, Commercial Development Manager at Derwen College, said: “Reaching our fifth anniversary is a real milestone, and I want to thank Sharon and the whole team for the energy and ideas they bring to The Vintage Advantage.

“We’re also grateful to the funders and financial donors who helped make the shop possible – including the Steve Morgan Foundation and The Community Foundation for Staffordshire and Shropshire. Their support has enabled us to create a dedicated retail training environment and raise funds for Derwen Charity to enhance opportunities for students with SEND.”

Shoppers can pick up preloved bargains and refresh their spring wardrobe at The Vintage Advantage in Derwen College’s Marketplace, which is open seven days a week (9 am–4 pm Monday to Saturday and 10 am–4 pm on Sundays). Anyone having a spring clear-out can donate quality clothing, accessories, homeware and books, and volunteering enquiries are also welcome.