A Wavertree-based charity shop has been described as 'so much more than just a shop' by a woman who has lived in the area for over 30 years. Georgia Dufton, 58, originally from Yorkshire, first moved to Wavertree when she came to Liverpool for university. She is now chair and one of the directors of the popular charity shop Love Wavertree, based on Picton Road.
A hub for the community
The shop, also called Reloved, came about after a previous charity shop unit became available. It now stocks a huge range of items, from clothes by name brands such as Zara and ASOS, to household goods, books and even £2 mystery jewellery bags with handmade pieces.
Reloved has had a 'significant impact' on the Wavertree community, helping out a wide range of people from different walks of life. It does referrals for families who need support, or provides interview clothes for those looking for a new job but who can't afford a suit.
Speaking to the ECHO, Georgia said: "I think, [the shop] has a really significant impact. We're really busy and get a lot of customers who come in most days. People come in and chat and have a cup of tea with us. There's people that come in who don't speak to other people or don't perhaps have anybody at home, so I think we're a really good hub for isolation and and getting people up, and moving, and out of the house."
Community events and high street revival
Georgia added: "The other side to that is Love Wavertree is so much more than just the shop. We do regular community events as well. We normally put a big family event on at Christmas and often do something at Halloween."
In July, the social hub celebrated six years on the high street with a family event in the library and the Town Hall, which has recently reopened. Georgia said: "The council closed the street, we had Katumba, the Brazilian drumming band marched up the High Street. It was packed with people, families and children, it was as busy as it used to be, and it was just lovely to see what Wavertree High Street could be."
She continued: "We're really trying to reactivate the High Street, get local businesses speaking to each other. We work really closely with the council, the library, with the family hub at the sports center, we're really involved in that wider community piece."
Viral mystery bags and dedicated volunteers
Recently, the charity shop has gained traction on social media for its mystery bags. The £2 mystery jewellery bags are hand crafted by a local volunteer who creates different and intricate pieces, ranging from chunky bangles to colourful, dainty necklaces. The bags have sold out in the shop multiple times after videos posted on TikTok went viral.
Georgia said: "We almost get too many [donations] but we always say we'd much rather have too many than not enough. I think people trust us and they know that what we make stays in the community. We're not a chain, we don't have a marketing budget, we don't have a CEO, you know, so it's very, very local and I think people appreciate that."
Having worked at Reloved for seven years, Georgia said it can sometimes be challenging. She said: "It can be heartbreaking. Things aren't easy at the moment, are they? You do get people in and they'll share with you what's happening in their lives, and it's heartbreaking. It's nice for us to be there, and it just helps with a listening ear."
She added: "We've got volunteers who've worked there for many years, also in the shop as it was before we took over. Some of our volunteers feel like they know absolutely everybody in Wavertree it's really nice."
