A NEW charity shop outside the Cockhedge Centre is helping people get back into work by offering them placements where they can develop new skills.

Scope, a national disability charity which helps people with cerebral palsy, has teamed up with Action 4 Employment to help people low on confidence to take their first steps on the road to paid work.

"A4E provided us with someone on our very first day of opening in November and we now have several of their clients here," said store manager Anna Dutton.

"We train them up to work in retail and customer services, building confidence, people skills and working as a team.

"What they do for us can also go on their CV and we work on what they are good at, and it all helps when they apply for full-time jobs."

The shop, which is next to TK Maxx at the entrance to the Cockhedge, employs only two paid staff: 30-year-old Anna, from Great Sankey, and assistant manager, Kirsty Taylor, aged 23, also from Great Sankey.

The pair co-ordinates the efforts of several A4E clients, including 19-year-olds James Hardman and Jawad Qayum.

James has worked there since November and quickly found his forte was serving behind the till.

"I like meeting customers and having a laugh with the managers," he said. "The Job Centre put me in touch with A4E and they placed me here.

"It keeps me busy and they've helped me with my maths and English and it's experience for job applications."

Jawad prefers a more behind-the-scenes role, sorting and tagging the hundreds of donated clothes and other items received by the shop every day.

He plays a vital role in helping keep the stock out on the shop floor fresh for its 50-100 daily customers and hopes to secure a job at Gemini Retail Park.

"We're trying to get rid of the stereotype of being an old, manky charity shop," explained Kirsty. "Everything is steam-cleaned then tagged with a date so we know to pass them on if they haven't sold within two weeks.

"We only put out things we would be prepared to buy ourselves."

Despite taking on A4E clients, the shop, which is currently running a £4,000 raffle, is also on the look out for volunteers.

If you can spare some of your time, call 651273.