A CHARITY shop aiming to help battle loneliness has been officially opened by the Mayor of Hillingdon.

Based in Violet Avenue, Hillingdon, it offers community support, volunteering and training opportunities and provides a ‘safe space’ for people.

Loneliness and isolation is a growing concern in the UK, with reports from Age UK stating that 3.9million people say the TV is their main source of company.

The shop aims to reinvest all the funds it raises directly back into the community via education, employment and well-being projects, such as maintaining the Healing Gardens in Hillingdon.

Set-up by the charity Groundwork, based at Colne Valley Park, the group has been planning the shop for more than a year and collecting goods for more than 10 months.

On the opening day, nine people signed up to volunteer at the shop.

Laura Muir, project manager from Groundwork South, said: “There has been great community spirit locally. A number of people have volunteered their time to get the shop ready, for which we’re really grateful.”

The shop is open 8.45am-4.30pm each day except Wednesdays and Sundays.