Last month, the Halo Children’s Foundation opened its brand new pop-up charity shop at The Chimes Shopping Center in Uxbridge.
The much-loved store held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 13, officiated by Deputy Mayor Councilor Philip Corthorne, accompanied by a speech.
Occupying the former River Island unit, the store offers pre-loved clothing, shoes, toys, books and homewares, all of which have been donated.
The charity understands that every child will react to grief differently and provides a range of services that empower children to express themselves
Since opening in The Chimes, Halo has raised more than £54,000 for bereaved families in the area, providing a hub of support.
The foundation continues to hold weekly and monthly groups of expressive art and play, where children can mingle and develop in a safe and stimulating environment, among others going through similar loss and grief, together with a trained counselor.
Alia Jones, founder of the Halo Children’s Foundation, said: “We at Halo are so excited to be working with The Chimes again in this way and opening our very own charity shop. The previously loved shop has been a huge success and well received by everyone “
The new store joins the existing Halo Play Café at The Chimes Shopping Centre, which is a safe place to encourage families away from home to access the support they need when someone sadly passes away. The site offers a soft play area and cafe for everyone to use, with all proceeds going to support the charity’s vital work.
It also hosts an education room to educate school teachers and professionals about grief, bereavement and loss; and workshops for children to express themselves in a safe and stimulating environment. There is a wellness room with a bereavement Book library with books to borrow as well.
How donating helps
All money raised by Halo – including through the shop, the cafe and raised through fundraising and donations – goes to support children and their families bereaved.
Many of the children that Halo supports have unfortunately experienced the death of a parent, but it could also be a sibling, grandparent or someone close.
Proceeds go towards running the charity’s expressive art and play groups, giving the children a personal memory box, running the bereavement book library, school support and funding trips to create new memories.
