Somebody Cares Scotland is delighted to announce the reopening of its themed retail employability shop on Great Western Road in Aberdeen.
On Tuesday, April 15, the shop transitioned from its successful Weddings & Gifts operation to launch a new 'Mummy & Me' theme, offering a fresh retail experience while continuing its mission to support young people's development.
The shop, operating as 'special things' (1-3 Great Western Road, AB10 6PZ), will stock a carefully curated selection of items for mothers and children, including clothing, toys, gifts, and homeware.
The Weddings & Gifts theme proved successful, providing work experience for five young people who collectively gained 99 hours of practical retail skills over nine weeks. The initiative continues to generate vital income for the charity while delivering meaningful opportunities for Aberdeen's young people.
"We wanted an enjoyable experience for the young people, one that would help them gain new skills in retail and build their confidence," said Yekemi Otaru, CEO of Somebody Cares Scotland. "It's been just brilliant to see the positive impact so far. We're excited to welcome our new team for the Mummy & Me theme."
The new theme welcomes four young people with additional support needs to join the team. These individuals are from partner schools Bucksburn Academy and St Machar Academy, with whom Somebody Cares Scotland has established a strong collaborative relationship.
The charity is currently seeking one additional partner school to join the initiative this year, expanding opportunities for more young people across Aberdeen to benefit from this unique employability programme.
The employability shop aims to provide meaningful work experience for young people who might be at risk of leaving school without qualifications, with a particular focus on those with additional support needs. The retail environment offers a supportive setting where participants can develop practical skills, boost confidence, and gain valuable experience for their future careers.
The Mummy & Me theme will continue into the summer, offering a seasonally relevant shopping experience for the local community.
Special Things is open Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
To find out more about ‘special things’, email specialthings@somebodycaresscotland.org