By Wills Morgan

 

With the re-fashioning of Peaceful Solutions located on Chamberlayne Road, you can create your own individual wardrobes through responsible purchasing: plus you help an organization that provides funding for conflict resolution strategies in NW10.

 

There is a charity shop on the main road in Kensal Rise. You might have noticed it on your way to work. Or possibly you might not. You may have been distracted by the golden monstrosity by the railway bridge (just finished). Somebody’s got to clean the smoke and other pollutants off them tiles or that building will look shabby in a few years: and even if you like the look of it now…you just wait till the new supermarket gets put in. But I digress. 

 

 

Opposite the soon-to-be demolished Moberly Sports Centre (!) is a charity shop. Not just any charity shop, but a unique charity shop. Can’t see it? The view is obscured from passing motorists by a bus shelter. But this makes the shop in fact more convenient: just walk off the bus, take three steps and there you are.

 

This is what you will find in the shop: highly sought-after pieces to complete and compliment your wardrobe. Think French Connection, LK Bennett, Michael Kors or private collections donated by Anonymous. Think fashionable, stylish, I-need-it retro. Think flawless, pristine vintage. And think couture: Parisian, Italian, special. All hung on the railing, waiting for the right person to adorn their personality with that exactly right garment.

 

18 Chamberlayne Road is where you will find the shop of the registered charity known as Peaceful Solutions (PS), an organization that provides mediation and conflict resolution in our locality. 

 

The revenues generated by the shop are invested in community mediation projects such as these: courses for the settling of family or neighbourly disputes; non-violent intervention in divorce cases: liaising within workplaces, prisons and the school sectors throughout the Borough of Brent.

 

At the heart of Peaceful Solutions are the two founders: their names are Maria Arpa and David Ellis. Both are extra-ordinary persons. Their lives revolve around making our community a safer place: and the bringing of hope to the youth of today. (As a matter of fact, Ms. Arpa’s first publication ‘The Heart of Mindful Relationships: Meditations on Togetherness’ is now available and can be purchased in the PS charity shop.)

 

 

There is a new manageress and a dedicated team of volunteers who are ready to spread the word: ready to reach out beyond the confines of their paid employment and contribute their time, effort and service to Peaceful Solutions in the belief that what they do is beneficial to our community.

 

This leads me to my next thought, which is: what is our social responsibility to these issues to which I have been enlightening you for the past 500 or so words?

 

First: there is an ongoing need for enthusiastic volunteers. Second, there is always going to be a need for quality clothing, jewellery, objets d’art, fashionable accessories: in fact, anything that you yourself would be tempted to purchase. The revenue from the sale of these quality items will help further the work of Peaceful Solutions.

Third, and most importantly: the clientele. Loyal patronage allows the work of Peaceful Solutions to continue on a consistent and ongoing basis, bringing about positive changes in people’s lives here in the Borough. The revenues can only be generated by those who donate, volunteer and are part of our client base.

 

I have now completed my own contribution in adding to your knowledge of what I consider to be the most worthy of charities: the name of that charity is Peaceful Solutions. 

 

“The only gift is a portion of thyself.”

Ralph Waldo Emmerson (1803-1882),

American essayist and poet.

 

 

Peaceful Solutions, 18 Chamberlayne Road, NW10 3JD

Telephone: 020 8969 7413

Call or text on this number: 07548 738967

Like them on Facebook. Follow them on Twitter.

Signed copies of Maria Arpa’s book ‘The Heart of Mindful Relationships’ are available in the shop at the price of ………….

 

Help is available to all by dialing this number:

020 8453 0086 or visit our Professional Mediation website.

 

PS Charity Shop

 

Pictures and paintings are by Verity Flute.  

 

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