A new charity shop has opened on Fishergate called the Preston Wings Centre aiming to help ex-veterans who are isolated or lonely.
The Centre is run by volunteers and is part of the charity Raffle –the Royal Air Forces Association which has created a befriending project aimed for ex-veterans. The Centre currently has 12 volunteers but aim to get up to 20.
This centre is an extension of the befriending project which matches volunteers/befrienders with ex-veterans who are lonely and isolated at home and can then be matched up with a volunteer who will go and visit them or contact them to see how they are.
Manager of the Wings Centre Ian Barber said: “The aim of the shop is to help stop social isolation in the veteran community and we want to make this a hub where people can come and do group activities like crafts, board gaming throughout the week and social mornings with toast, tea and coffee.
“Fishergate is a primary location in the town centre where everyone can see us, helping to raise awareness and be more sociable with great access to transport links.”
The Preston Wings Centre is hosting an invitation-only launch event on Tuesday 6 June where the Mayor of Preston will open up the centre.
Ian also said: “The invitation is to the public if they’ve got any Armed Forces connections or wish to share their skills, help volunteer or create a group.
“We think we’ve got something to say to provide for all veterans and help them and give more service to ex-RAF.
“For us, it’s crucial to work together, for example working with combat stress, the British Legion and many other forces charities in the area.”
For more information about the centre and the event check #PrestonWingsCentre Facebook page.