The Community Shop has opened in Dartmouth and in its first week will be fundraising for the funeral of Michelle Chambers, one of its founding volunteers.

The Community Shop is run by Dawn Shepherd and her team of volunteers to support the Community Chest and to help people with low wage, seasonable jobs to be able to afford to buy the things they need.

“With the prices in Dartmouth” explained Dawn, “even the charity shops, if you’re really struggling, you have to go to Totnes or Torbay, and you have to be able to afford the bus fare too, when all you need is some bedding or a saucepan.”

The Community Shop opened last Monday and is located below the Conservative Club on Victoria Road, through the side entrance on the left hand side of the club, opposite Brown’s Bar.

Everything sold in the Community Shop is donated and the prices are kept very low to allow everyone to be able to afford it, and if people are desperate, those prices are negotiable. Any profits made go to pay the rent and support the Community Chest. “We’re a service for Dartmouth first, profits come second” said Dawn.

“Community Chest works on referrals from social services, and we provide white goods such as fridges, washing machines etc, and occasionally other things that people needed. Many of them wanted to be able to pay us for things, but we didn’t have the system set up to be able to take money off them.

“Here in the community shop, everything is cheap but people don’t feel like they’re taking charity, they want to be able to stand on their own two feet, and the shop means they can.

“We will also have Devon Credit Union, Plough and Share, in the shop, probably on a Wednesday, to help people with advice. The Government are changing it so you will need a bank account or Credit Union book to be able to get your benefits, but some people can’t get a bank account, so they’re going to be a great help.

“Times are tough and we’re really having to step up our game. We’re working with the Job Centre too, training people with deliveries and using the tills, and then connecting them with people who can employ them.”

Dawn has a small army of volunteers helping her out. “Many of our volunteers have had to dip in and out of services such as the Community Chest and the Food Bank, and now they want to give something back. They’re all wonderful.”

One of Dawn’s founding volunteers was Michelle Chambers, who tragically died on Wednesday last week. “She spurred me on to start the shop” explained Dawn, “without her, we wouldn’t be here.

“She worked all the hours, twelve-hour days, but would still come in to see me during her breaks and push me on.

“She found the space for us, she spread the word around the town about us, we wouldn’t be here without her.

“We’re devastated and heartbroken, I only saw her on Tuesday afternoon. She was here through the weekend helping to sort everything out, and she popped in to see how we were getting on.

“She was the most helpful and caring person, kindness just ran through her. She was the first one with her hand in her pocket. I’ve seen her empty her purse for people, but she never bought anything for herself.

“People have said that the town feels like its in mourning, she was quiet but she had a huge presence. We will miss her desperately.”

Dawn is hoping the shop will become something of a memorial to Michelle, as she loved the charity so much.

“We’re raising money for her funeral this week, and if we don’t make enough, we’ll keep going until we do. A basic funeral costs £3,500 and she doesn’t deserve basic, she deserves the best.

“People have been handing me envelopes to give to her partner, we keep them locked away and then Gary comes and picks them up. If we need to, we’ll keep going after the funeral and make sure their rent and their bills are paid.

“If you want to, come in and buy something for Michelle.”

Michelle’s funeral will take place at St Saviours Church on Wednesday, March 22, at 2pm. Her favourite colour was pink, so her partner has asked for everyone to wear something pink, “even if its just pink underwear” said Dawn with a smile.

You can also donate towards Michelle’s funeral on the GoFundMe page: www.gofundme.com/michelle-chambers-funeral