A COMMUNITY activist has opened up a shop in Greenock town centre to help support people in desperate need.

Former charity shop manager Heather Miller, from Larkfield, believes there are local people ‘falling through the gaps’ of support agencies despite being unable to afford the price of second hand furniture.

She has established a community hub called Helping Hands and signed up to support organisations like Inverclyde Foodbank.

Since opening in Kilblain Street she has been rushed off her feet with people looking for help.

Heather said: “This is a community shop and we will never, ever turn anyone away.

“We are here for the community and we are part of it.

“We are selling second hand furniture at a price that people can actually afford and we let people pay up their bill.

“We have lots of big plans for the space and I can’t believe how busy we have been so far.”

One of her first initiatives was to team up with the Inverclyde Foodbank.

She explained: “Anyone who comes here with a referral from the foodbank will be able to get whatever they need for free.”

Heather has also brought other local businesses into the shop to use the space. 

Every month it will raise money for local groups like Youth Connections in Burns Square.

Heather has a team of volunteers to support her cause, like Kimberley Boyce.
Together they are raising cash to send young people on trips and on September 30 they are inviting people to join them for a MacMillan coffee morning.

Heather said: “There are so many people I need to thank who are getting right behind us, including Mr Whiteside who owns the shop and Stevie from Rubbish 2 Go who has been helping us with pick-ups.”

Helping Hands is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

If anyone would like to donate goods they can contact Heather on 07511 469244.