YOU'VE heard of the shop - but now Bolton is getting a 'Not Shop' - where goods are free and the staff are young volunteers.

Now the innovative community shop, where donated goods are passed on for free, is looking for sponsorship from local businesses.

The Not Shop, scheduled to open during the next few months, is being set up with Breightmet UCAN Centre and Bolton at Home's Neighbourhood Management East Team.

It is one of several projects that the organisations are working on with the charity Heartlift.

The charity also wants mentors to help the vulnerable teenagers who volunteer at the shop to learn key employment skills.

Andrea Wood, who is one of the founders of Heartlift, said: “The Not Shop is a fantastic opportunity for our young people to get involved with a project that benefits not only themselves but everyone on the estate where they live.

“The shop is a natural progression of the work we do to improve the lives if children and young people by helping them to develop their sense of self-worth through offering them a family-style setting where they will not be judged.

“Instead, they are given the chance to engage with us to work through some of their problems while receiving practical and emotional support.

“By setting up the Not Shop, these kids will be able to give something back to their local community and gaining valuable experience in the process.”

Many of the children and teenagers Heartlift reach out to come from difficult family backgrounds against a backdrop of social and financial deprivation.

Some go to the centre through referrals from their school, social services or youth offending team.

The shop, which will operate from the charity's premises at the UCAN Centre, will provide them with fresh opportunities to “get involved” and learn new skills that will be of benefit to their personal development and future employability.

“There are a whole host of jobs that need doing from sorting, cleaning, labelling and displaying donated items, to dealing with customers,” said Ms Wood.

“Organisation, teamwork, communication and decision-making are just a few of things they will be able to learn and experience in a supportive and caring environment.

“It's a wonderful way of preparing them for the world of work.”

Crucially, helping to set-up and run the cash-free shop will also give the Heartlift youngsters the means to give something back to their own neighbourhood.”

The charity has already secured funding for the provision of white goods which the kids can use to do their own washing, drying and ironing.

Heartlift welcomes donations for the shop and is also seeking new volunteers who would be willing to become role models and mentors to the young people.

Contact 01204 383131.