Changing Lives Charity

17/06/2026

We cannot wait for the Recovery Festival tomorrow, we will be there chatting and talking to people all about the charity and most importantly Andrew House.

See you there.

P.S I have sweets 😂😂😂🥰🥰🥰🥰

🎉 THE BRISTOL RECOVERY FESTIVAL IS TOMORROW! 🎉

The countdown is almost over! 🙌

Join us tomorrow for a day of celebration as we come together to recognise recovery in all its forms 💙

Expect live music 🎶, inspiring stories 💬, community stalls 🤝, family-friendly activities 🎨, great food 🍔, and an incredible atmosphere that showcases the strength, resilience, and diversity of our recovery community.

Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, working in the field, or simply want to be part of an uplifting community event, everyone is welcome!

Let’s make this year’s Bristol Recovery Festival the biggest and best yet. Bring your friends, bring your family, and help us celebrate the power of recovery together.

📅 Thursday 18th June, 12pm-7pm
📍 Trinity Centre, Bristol, BS2 0NW
🎟️ Free to attend!

Who’s coming? Let us know in the comments! 👇

14/06/2026

🌿 Sunday Reflection 🌿

Sometimes we pray for God to remove the storm.

But often, God chooses to walk with us through it.

Strength isn't found in pretending everything is fine. Strength is found in trusting God when life doesn't make sense. It is choosing faith over fear, hope over despair, and taking one more step when you feel like giving up.

Isaiah 41:10 reminds us:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Whatever you are carrying today, remember this:

✨ God sees you.
✨ God knows your struggle.
✨ God has not abandoned you.

You may not be where you want to be, but thank God you are not where you used to be.

Keep praying.
Keep trusting.
Keep moving forward.

The same God who brought you through yesterday will be faithful tomorrow.

Have a peaceful and blessed Sunday.

❤️ From all of us at Changing Lives Charity

12/06/2026

🛍️ NEW STOCK ARRIVING DAILY! 🛍️

If you haven't visited us recently, now is the perfect time!

We've had a huge amount of fresh stock arrive across our stores and online shop, including:

✨ Furniture
✨ Homeware
✨ Electricals

Whether you're looking to furnish a room, replace an appliance, or simply enjoy a browse, there's something new waiting for you.

📍 Warehouse – 2A Kimberley Road, Clevedon, BS21 6QJ
📍 Home Essentials – 9-10 The Triangle, Clevedon, BS21 6HX

💻 Shop online anytime at https://changinglives.org.uk/collections/all?sort_by=created-descending&filter.v.price.gte=&filter.v.price.lte=

Every purchase helps support Changing Lives Charity and provides hope and a future for people who have experienced life-affecting trauma.

Pop in and see what treasures you can find tomorrow .

💚

09/06/2026

So the latest Doghead Designs and Annie Sloan retreat has ended. Take a look at the incredible items these fantastic people created.

Each artist purchased their item on our website before the retreat. We then delivered them before they arrived so they all had pieces ready for them.

What's EVEN more fantastic, they have gifted the items back to the charity to sell again.

Thank you 🙏
Thank you 🥳🥳
Thank you 🥰🥰🥰

08/06/2026

Next up in our "Meet the Shops" series... The Warehouse, AKA The Hub!

Located on Kimberley Road in Clevedon (just around the corner from Asda), the Warehouse is home to our widest range of stock and services.

This is where you'll find our upcycled and refurbished furniture projects, including many pieces created through our innovative partnership with HMP Bristol, giving furniture a second chance while supporting meaningful rehabilitation opportunities.

The Warehouse is also home to our central offices and the heart of many of our charity operations.

And of course, this is where you'll find me — Charlotte (or CBH as most people know me!), Business and Online Manager for Changing Lives Charity. If it makes money and involves selling, there's a good chance it's landed on my desk at some point! I've been with Changing Lives since May 2018 and have had the privilege of watching the charity grow, adapt and overcome more than a few challenges along the way.

Also based at the Warehouse is James, better known as Jay, our Logistics and Waste Manager. Jay oversees our fleet of vans, manages our partnership with North Somerset Council, coordinates house clearances and somehow keeps all the moving parts running smoothly.

Whether you're looking for furniture, electricals, refurbished treasures, unique finds or simply want to see what we're all about, the Warehouse is well worth a visit.

We're open to the public six days a week.

If you've never visited before, what are you waiting for? Come and see what treasures you can discover! 💚

📍 Unit 2A Kimberley Road, Clevedon
🕘 Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm
🕤 Saturday: 9:30am–3:30pm

07/06/2026

🌿 Sunday Reflection 🌿

Life can be hard.

There are seasons when the struggles seem endless, when the weight we carry feels too much, and when it seems easier to give up than keep going.

But one of the most powerful truths of the Christian faith is this: your struggle does not define your future.

The Bible reminds us in Romans 5:3-4:

"We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

Every challenge you face is shaping you. Every obstacle you overcome is building strength you didn't know you had. Every time you choose to keep going, even when it's difficult, you are proving that the struggle will not have the final word.

God never promised a life without storms, but He did promise that we would never face them alone.

So if today feels difficult, keep holding on. Keep believing. Keep taking the next step.

The chapter you're in today is not the end of your story.

There is hope.
There is purpose.
There is a future.

Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Sunday from all of us at Changing Lives Charity. ❤️

06/06/2026

🏡 Meet the Home Essentials Shop! 🏡

A true Clevedon favourite, our Home Essentials Shop has become a go-to destination for bargain hunters, treasure seekers and anyone looking to support a great cause.

At the helm is Charlotte – affectionately known by many as "Kraken" – whose passion, energy and dedication have helped make the shop what it is today.

Charlotte has been managing the shop since 2019, and her friendly face, eye for a bargain and commitment to customers have made her a firm favourite with the people of Clevedon.

Over the years, Charlotte has steered the shop through some challenging times. From navigating the uncertainty of lockdowns to managing the days of social distancing, one-way systems and socially guided shopping (something most of us would rather forget!), she has helped ensure the shop remained a welcoming and important part of the community.

From furniture to clothing, books to electricals, homeware to hidden gems, there's always something new to discover. In fact, if we don't have it, it's probably not worth having! 😄

Whether you're furnishing a home, looking for your next great read, hunting for a unique find or simply wanting to support your local charity, the Home Essentials Shop is well worth a visit.

📍 9–10 The Triangle, Clevedon, BS21 6HX

💚 Supporting local people through every purchase

Pop in, say hello to Charlotte and the team, and see what treasures you can find today!

05/06/2026

Today is the day we say another goodbye.

Goodbye to Hasina Downie our Volunteer Manager.

Since joining the Changing Lives Charity team in 2021, Hasina has brought so much to the charity and to each of us on a personal level.

Her character, her calmness, her enthusiasm, her wit, her encouragement, her charm, her ability to acknowledge every person, and her way of always knowing what is right (even when it does occasionally annoy me 🙄) have all been things that Changing Lives has truly needed.

From 5pm today, we'll simply have to remember everything she has taught us and keep her influence with us as we continue our work.

Hasina is leaving for a new role with another fantastic charity in Bristol, so whilst it is certainly our loss, it will undoubtedly be their gain. I have no doubt that our paths will continue to cross.

For now, it's not goodbye — it's simply see you soon. Hopefully over a messy wrap and a good chat.

From all of us at Changing Lives, Hasina, you are one in a million. We will miss you more than words can say, but we know this new role is the perfect fit for you, and we couldn't be prouder.

Thank you for everything.

❤️ Hasina, thank you. ❤️

Love from all of us at Changing Lives ###x

03/06/2026

💚 And there you have it... the Thrift Shop on The Triangle is now empty, and no more.

The team has cleared the shop, stockrooms and upstairs space in record time, and the keys are nearly ready to be handed back tomorrow.

What a journey this little shop has been for us. It started by selling Christmas trees, evolved into a collectables and antiques store, and then finally found its true potential as the unique thrift shop so many of you came to love, all under the careful guidance and passion of Julie.

Over the years, this little shop has weathered so much. It became a place where bargains were discovered, conversations were shared, volunteers gained confidence, and our community came together. For that, we are incredibly grateful.

While this chapter has come to an end, it may not be the end of the story. We might just have a trump card up our sleeve that we'll be able to reveal very soon... 👀

In the meantime, we'd love to see you at our other locations:

📍 Home Essentials Store – just around the corner at 9-10 The Triangle
📍 Warehouse – Kimberley Road, Clevedon

Every purchase continues to support the work of Changing Lives Charity and helps us provide hope and a future for those who have experienced life-affecting trauma.
For now, though, it's time to say goodbye.

Thank you to everyone who shopped, donated, volunteered, supported Julie and the team, and helped make this little shop something truly special.

Goodbye, Thrift Shop. You will be missed. 💚

03/06/2026

💙 Volunteers' Week 2026 💙

This week, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible volunteers who make Changing Lives Charity what it is.

Whether you're sorting donations, helping customers in our shops, supporting our warehouse team, assisting with collections and deliveries, helping at events, or simply offering a listening ear, your time, dedication and compassion make a real difference every single day.

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Because of your hard work, we are able to support people who have experienced life-affecting trauma and provide hope, practical support and opportunities for a brighter future.

To every volunteer, past and present, thank you. Thank you for your kindness, your commitment, your laughter, your patience and your belief in what we do.

You are not just volunteers – you are part of the Changing Lives family, and we couldn't do it without you.

Please join us in thanking our amazing volunteers this Volunteers' Week! 👏