A NEW CHARITY shop has opened at the shopping centre in Yate. 

Barnado's latest store has opened in the former Shaw’s shop in Yate, with Mayor Cheryl Kirby among the first visitors.

For Jo Ridler, manager of the newly opened store, working for the charity is much more than just a job.

She spotted a job advert for Barnardo’s shortly after discovering that she had been adopted through the charity as a baby and decided it was fate, and just the role for her.

Since seeing that advert 10 years ago she has gone on to manage six Barnardo’s shops and is delighted to be heading up the new store in Yate where the team has received a very warm welcome from other traders on the retail park.

She said: “People have been so friendly and I’m looking forward to getting to know people and what they like. I want people to feel they can come in for a chat as well as a browse.

“For many people coming into a charity shop might be the only time they speak to someone in the day, and we want them to feel welcome."

Jo was already an experienced charity retail worker when she gave up work to care for her elderly father. Although she had known since she was 12 that she was adopted, it was only after his death that she came across the papers which showed that she had been adopted through Barnardo’s.

She said: “It was time for me to return to work and the very first job I saw advertised was managing the Barnardo’s store in Chipping Sodbury. 

“I was elated. It means a lot for me to work for Barnardo’s because of my background and the fact that I was placed for adoption at six weeks old.

"I’m really passionate about the fact that Barnardo’s is for children and the good things Dr Thomas Barnardo did when he set up the charity. If I can do anything to help a vulnerable child I will.

“I tell the people who come to volunteer with us that whether you are dusting a shelf or putting price tickets on clothes for sale, you are helping to support vulnerable families."