A NON-profit organisation which supports the autistic community across Northern England has set up a base Church Square Shopping Centre.

The A World UK CIC was established in Salford in 2019 as a response to the lack of support for the autistic community in the area, the business has expanded to opening retail destinations across Lancashire and Merseyside, with the Church Square branch in St Helens being the latest to adopt the brand.

The A World UK CIC charity shop raises money for the charity with pre-loved donations from the public, and also with volunteering from keen individuals across the nation. Donations can be in the form of furniture, clothes and bric-a-brac.

Those interested in donating items are able to drop them off in-store directly, or have them collected from their home.

For £25 a year, people can sign up to be a member of the charity with members receive many benefits, such as priority event booking, funded services, easy access to event tickets, a members only Facebook group and members only Newsletter.

The Church Square store will occupy the ex-Snugworld unit and is set to open at the end of July.

The opening hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, with an exception of 10am to 4pm on Bank Holidays. The store will not open for trading on Sundays.

Cllr Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Economy, Business and Skills, added: “This is a really fantastic cause supporting families across our region and we hope that the St Helens community can give their support to this retail offer that will give back to those who need it most.”