Dorking Beatitudes was opened in March 2012, having been registered as a charity in January 2012 (reg. charity number 1145210). The charity has now been running for 14 years and continues to be a significant family charity shop and informal support centre in the town of Dorking. The charity was set up to help local families in need and it continues to fulfil its purpose. Financial grants are given to families in crisis, often who are referred to us from Family Centres, local schools, Social Services, local council, churches and other local charities. The charity continues to sell good as new items of clothing, equipment, toys and books at very affordable cost, to enable families to support their children. Free equipment and clothing are given to those with little means. Surplus/damaged goods are recycled and we receive some renumeration, although the income from this has reduced in the last year.
All children who visit the charity are given gifts at Christmas and for other special occasions, e.g. birthdays, or to welcome new babies. Local families with children in need are given financial support in the form of grants, or supermarket vouchers, over Christmas and other holiday times, when they are stretched financially, due to children being at home from school. Many of our grants are given out at Christmas to help with increased household bills.
Staff and volunteers continue to offer informal support to those who frequent the shop and there is still a play area for children, which is well attended, as well as a seating area for parents and carers. Staff are as available as they can be to lend a listening ear or to signpost families to other services. The charity, we are told by the Dorking Foodbank issue the most vouchers in the town as individuals feel safe in the shop and are given time to discuss any difficulties.
Currently we have 20 volunteers, one of which is carrying out a Duke of Edinburgh award. We have the equivalent of one full time member of staff and two part time staff, to ensure consistent cover in the shop. Some volunteers’ roles are to regularly wash and iron clothing and mend items so that items for sale or to donate are of a good standard.
In summer of 2025, we once again provided two coaches to the beach for families unable to travel to the seaside. Almost 100 seats were filled, mostly children with parents, and also other adults in need of a trip they couldn’t otherwise afford.
We have had a significant increase in service charges from our landlords, and also have been requested historical reconciliation of charges from 2019 to 2024 amounting to £10,000. Staff continue to be paid minimal salaries. We received once again a generous donation from a society from the local labour party, which enables us to cover the cost of coach trip to the seaside. We continue to be supported by individuals and churches in the area.
Animated booklets were purchased for a local school, St Johns, at Christmas. Two groups continue to run in the local community, Knit and Natter, in the local library, run by a staff member and a volunteer and Peaced Together, which is a multiple craft and support group for people in the community. Beatitudes supports the training for the trainers as well as some contribution to costs when needed.