There are some wonderful organisations that create beautifully designed gifts that not only give joy to the happy recipient but a warm glow for the giver and source of hope and support for the maker.

We have stocked and supported some these brands such as Jolly Socks whose profits go to the homeless and Hoxton Street Monster Supplies whose cash goes to the brilliant Ministry of Stories . We believe it deepens the potential for joy provided by the habit of meaningful gift giving and allows us to be a hub for connecting people who share our mission. We were also delighted to confirm that JOLT are going to stock us in there Oswestry pop-up shop. This will include screen print and lino cut workshops too. They create original homewares from designs made by people dealing with mental health issues. Here is some more about this great event:

…….. what is going on in Cross Street, Oswestry?

Curious passers-by are stopping and checking on progress in a vacant shop which is buzzing with activity and bursting with vibrant colour as it transforms into an exciting temporary interactive retail space by JOLT , the homeware brand of Designs in Mind, whose studios are located in the adjacent building.

Designs in Mind is a social enterprise, a creative studio of designers and makers, all adults referred by mental health services, who work on commissions in a range of materials for public and private clients and on retail products. The purposeful design and making skills nurtured at Designs in Mind enable individuals to grow in confidence and self-esteem, and to move forward positively in their lives.

The Pop Up Shop will be open for two weeks from July 8th – 22nd , when JOLT will launch its second collection based on the theme ‘JAPAN’. This includes a range of design led products including screen printed bags, cushions, tea towels, ceramics, and greeting cards which will be available to buy.

The popular Oswestry Food Festival takes place on the middle weekend so the Pop Up shop will provide an additional vibrant and eye-opening attraction for the thousands of visitors expected in Oswestry over that time. The Pop Up Shop is a trial to test the feasibility of having a permanent JOLT shopfront on the ‘High Street’. A series of creative public workshops on screen printing and lino cut and print will take place during the two weeks. Dates, times, cost and booking instructions can be found at www.thisisjolt.co.uk/workshops or by calling 01691 655140. Informal drop-in workshops and events will take place at lunchtimes during the two weeks.

The JOLT brand was launched in September 2016, showcasing its first collection ‘In the Room’ at ‘Top Drawer’ Olympia, London a major trade show for leading retail outlets The printed lampshades, cushions, napkins, tea towels and notebooks received a very positive response and the products are now sold through three online shops which specialise in selling products with a social benefit, including The Big Issue. JOLT challenges the predominant culture of low expectation which surrounds our makers and challenges us all to take another look, or to ‘look beyond the label’. 100% of all sales revenue goes towards sustaining and developing the work of Designs in Mind.

SO, residents of Oswestry and surrounds, and visitors to the town, come and feast your eyes, spend your pennies and support this ground-breaking social business. Help us make the case for developing this Social business into a permanent enterprise, offering opportunities for the 50 plus adult members to move forward in lives touched by mental illness.

We want to support JOLT and this wider community by creating a carefully curated new department in our shop. Do you have any suggestions for favourite designer makers with a social interest? We would love to hear them – email Ruth here