Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott is looking forward to opening the new Morton Op Shop at 3pm on Tuesday 16 June.

Carlisle Church of England Diocese is pleased to announce the opening of the "Morton Op Shop", the next step in their experiment to offer church support direct to communities through a chain of recycling shops. These Social Enterprises offer great value, good quality, recycled clothing, toys, books and bric-a-brac.

In addition to good quality stock, Op Shops offer comfy seating and space to have tea, coffee and conversation. People will be invited to consume food purchased from nearby suppliers in the Op Shop café areas.

It is hoped to develop Op Shops as access points for a range of other community services including debt support/credit union, family, parenting and bereavement support.

Through their support from local churches Op Shops will offer the opportunity to explore faith and spiritual questions from a Christian perspective and help individuals make requests for prayer and other support at times of need.

The surplus from any trading will be invested in the local community. The pilot programme at St James Op Shop assisted their employment of a Youth Worker and Community Worker each actively supporting the local community through their roles on the staff team of the parish church.

Members of the community are invited to help Op Shops develop by using local outlets and making the team their aware of particular local needs, maybe donating any goods they would like recycled, even offering to help as volunteers. Any expressions of interest are most welcome.

There has been an Op Shop at Denton Holme for some years and the opening at Morton is coupled with the significant expansion of that outlet, the St James Op Shop, next month. There are plans to open other outlets over coming months.

Greg Abbott, Manager of Carlisle United said: "Faith and football both add huge value in the coherence and enjoyment they can each bring to a community. Many areas need this initiative and I wish it great success. Carlisle United would like to emphasize its community support by encouraging this excellent idea."

Canon John Libby, Vicar of St James Church and steering group member of Carlisle Diocese Charity Shops said: "The work of the first Op Shop has already been a great encouragement to many people in practical, social and spiritual ways. It is both a positive expression of very practical support and, if of interest, the offer of a non-threatening opportunity to explore Christian faith."

Jon Greenwood, Op Shops Development Manager, said: "It would be great to see the Morton Op Shop become as special a place as the St James Op Shop, with its community focus and range of volunteers having great fun and offering the whole breadth of Christian community support."

Ann Bowie, Op Shops volunteer, said: "Working as part of an Op Shop's team is very satisfying. It is a chance to give something back to the community and it is very enjoyable meeting volunteers and customers. It is a worthwhile and necessary encouragement to recycle and not waste, and in my case is a practical expression of my Christian faith."

For further information contact:

Jon Greenwood (Manager, Op Shops) 07523778723: enquiries@opshops.co.uk

John Libby (Op Shops steering group) 01228 515639: john.libby@stjamescarlisle.org.uk