MOVING into his own flat was something Ryan Hickton had wanted for a long time, having lived in the YMCA and shared accommodation following his release from custody four years ago.
But sitting on his sofa – the only piece of furniture he owned – Ryan looked around at the new bare abode and felt depressed and lonely.
It was only after he was given a cooker and fridge-freezer, among other household items, by the Hope Store in Derby that he started to feel the satisfaction he imagined he would have at moving in on his own.
The 21-year-old grew up in Allenton and got into crime as a teenager after falling in with the wrong crowd, when he started drinking and taking drugs. He said: "I had a terrible time in shared housing – people were stealing my food and I was having sleepless nights because of the noise and anxiety, so I was desperate to live on my own.
"But with just a sofa to sleep on and a television for some comfort I started feeling depressed, so being given a cooker, a microwave and a fridge-freezer has made a big difference – I can now eat and be healthier, which for me means less mental health issues.
"I think the Hope Store will make a massive difference to people. Society at the moment makes out that no-one cares. The Government is taking money away, the council has no money and it's good to know that someone does care."
For the past two months, Ryan has been volunteering for the Hope Centre, which runs the Hope Store.
He said: "I want to give something back and show that I care and do a bit of good."
The Hope Store was set up in May last year by the Hope Centre, which is part of Derby City Church, in Curzon Street.
The centre has been running a food bank in the city for people in need since May 2011.
Paul Brookhouse, director of community development at the Hope Centre, said: "We recognised that people needed more than just food when they were in crisis and need and we drew up a list of what we thought were essential items."
These are handed out to people who come in with a voucher given out by various agencies in the city. A Hope Centre volunteer will then draw up a list of essential items that person needs, before taking them to the store to pick out the items.
People can only visit the store once in a three-month period, whereas they can have four vouchers for the food bank in this space of time. The Hope Store currently gives out items to about 10 to 12 people a week.
The Hope Store will also provide clothing to homeless people through Derby Churches' Nightshelter project, which will begin again on December 1 and run through to the end of March.
The store is stocked entirely by donations and, with a constant demand for supplies, Paul is appealing to the public to donate unwanted household items, clothes and toiletries.
He said: "We have our own dignity stance – if it's not something we would use ourselves, in terms of its condition, then we won't give it to other people.
"Just because someone is in crisis or need doesn't mean they should accept any old rubbish."
They have recently started renting a storage unit to keep bulky household items. They also have a van to transport them.
People can drop off their donations at the Hope Centre on Thursday, October 30, between 4pm and 7pm and on Saturday, November 1, between 10am and noon.
WHAT DOES HOPE BRING TO THE CITY?
The Hope Centre opened in May 2011 to serve the community of Derby city. It runs a food bank twice a week giving out emergency food parcels, as well as a weekly parent and toddler group called Jumpin' Jack, a lunch club for the elderly called Happy Days and a drop-in on Fridays.
Talk it Over, a pregnancy options and loss support service, also operates from the centre. It offers free pregnancy testing, confidential support and information regarding pregnancy options and post-abortion support.
APPEAL FOR GOODS AND CLOTHES
An appeal has been made for clothes and goods for the Hope Store, which people can drop off on Thursday, October 30, between 4pm and 7pm and on Saturday, November 1, 10am to noon.
Clothes
Men's jeans 34" and under Ladies' jeans - size 12 and under
Men's and ladies' belts for trousers
Jumpers - large and under
Men's t-shirts/long sleeve tops/vests – large and under
Ladies' tops/long sleeves
Coats of all sizes/waterproof
Waterproof condition trainers size 7-10 for men and all sizes ladies
Men's and ladies' new socks and underwear – small/medium – no second-hand
Gloves, scarves and hats
Goods
Towels and bedding in good condition
Curtains
Cutlery and kitchenware - no chips, dents etc
Microwaves, kettles and toasters - kettles must be descaled or will fail PAT Testing
Fridges, freezers or combined
Collapsible beds
Dining room tables and chairs
Please call Derby 341189 and ask for Paul if you need help collecting large items.
