At 9am in the morning an upstairs room at Yes Manchester is being transformed into a clothes shop for local people. But this is a shop with a difference. Everything has been donated, everyone is a volunteer and everything in free. Yes is a service that helps people find jobs and take control of their future and volunteer Marika has run the annual clothes event for the last couple of years. “We work really closely with people looking for work in Newton Heath, but we noticed that people were being unsuccessful because they didn’t have any interview clothes and couldn’t meet the expected dress code. This really affected their confidence”
All year local people collect suitable clothes and at this event 5 volunteers helped 21 people choose an outfit for a job interview. Marika said “I’ve been volunteering here for three years and see how things like this changes people’s lives. Someone said to me today ‘you’re a star like always’ It makes me really proud to be involved”
Keith said “This is a wonderful place with wonderful people. Marika was very kind giving me a pair of shoes, tie and a lovely suit for my interview. When I arrived I sat down and waited for my interview. Suddenly the interviewer walked out confidently and told me that I’m dressed very well and perfect. After a few years of using the Yes Centre I got a job all thanks to the support of Yes, the staff and volunteers. I feel without their support I wouldn’t have succeeded. I’m absolutely happy with my new job”
Marika said “People really enjoy coming to this activity. They choose the clothes and shoes while helping each other to find the right size. After that they start talking with each other and they have a laugh too. They feel relaxed and happy and are practicing their English language. They are communicating with each other and this is getting the community together. This is a special day because it helps people that don’t have much money for clothing as it is not seen as a priority. One of our volunteers lives with depression but he’s really good at writing poems. He helped out at our event and is going to write us a poem based on what he saw and the conversations that he had with people. It was lovely to see him so happy doing something that he enjoyed”
Adrian Burke, a visitor to the event, wrote a poem about his experience:
The clothes give away
Here's a poem about a recent event,
To which I was invited and hence I went,
The event was a clothing give away,
A very nice way to spend a day.
It was attended by people of differing denominations,
from various backgrounds, generations and nations,
some came in search of trainers, suits or boots,
whilst others looked for ties, shirts or suits.
Others looked for dresses or casual wear,
All enjoyed the rummage in the time they spent there,
Everyone left with a bag in hand,
Proving giving new life to old clothes is in great demand.
