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A new clothing boutique which aims to support vulnerable, unemployed and low-income residents has opened its doors in Northwich.

‘Julia’s Boutique’ has been helping to cloth the residents of Victoria House, a supported housing scheme managed by Muir Group Housing.

Victoria House offers a supportive environment to assist residents in achieving independent living.

The scheme provides housing for anyone with varying support needs – from people who find themselves homeless, those with learning disabilities, mental health, domestic violence, and substance misuse issues.

Residents often arrive at Victoria House without a change of clothes, but they can now browse for new items, including designer labels, which have been donated by the staff at Muir.

The boutique is the brainchild of resident Julia Brown, who saw a similar scheme being operated at her previous home at Gorse Hill in Chester.

“I just thought it would be a good idea,” Julia said

“Some people come here without a change of clothes and I thought it would be a nice idea to give them the opportunity to pick something to wear.

“All the residents have been very pleased. It’s good quality clothing, a lot of it is brand new and they have been really pleased with what we can offer them.”

With the help of scheme manager Alison Johnson, an appeal for clothes was sent out to Muir staff.

Julia and the residents were bowled over with the response, so much that a bigger space was required to hold all the clothes.

And as a result, and with the help of fellow resident Laura Clark, Julia’s Boutique was born. Residents now have a dedicated room to pick and choose which clothes they need.

Julia added:

“Alison has been brilliant. She asked the Muir head office and staff if they would be willing to donate clothes and it really took off from there. The response has been brilliant, they have given us loads of clothes and everyone has been really grateful.

“I wasn’t expecting the response we had. I thought it would be a couple of carrier bags full but we have been bowled over by people’s generosity.

“If someone has an interview, we can lend them a suit or a dress. The same goes for if they are going to a wedding or christening – they can hire it out and bring it back for other people to use.”

Julia’s Boutique is housed in the scheme’s former staff room, which Alison was more than willing to hand over to the residents.

Alison said

“Julia had been at another Muir scheme – Gorse Hill – and noticed that they had boxes of children’s clothing that had been donated.

“She thought it would be a nice idea to have something similar here at Victoria House. We had a little think about where we could put it, and came up with the idea on converting the old staff room.

“We removed all the furniture and decided to give it up to our residents so they could transform it into a boutique. Julia has done a fantastic job – it looks great and I know our residents are grateful for the clothing.”

Since it has opened, Julia’s Boutique has gone from strength to strength and is well used by the residents of Victoria House.

And Julia herself was full of praise for the scheme.

She added: “It is better than being homeless. You get the help that you need, the staff are good and the support services are really helpful as well. It feels like a home, there’s never any trouble and you can use all the facilities.”