An Interview with Phil Malkin

Littleport’s Roving Reporter interviewed the founder of YPL aka Young People Littleport, Phil Malkin, to find out about how YPL is run and what is being provided for the community it was set up to serve. She found Phil in his small office in the large industrial unit in Henry Crabb Road, by name the YPL Indoor Arena.

On the subject of some charity shops’ high prices, Phil said, “What we have found now is that when we talk to the general public they believe that charity shops are becoming very expensive, but we at YPL have always maintained cheap prices when it comes to items like clothes and household basics trying to make everything more affordable for everyone.

As for the auction side, the people donating their items currently receive 80% of the takings, while we get 20%, and we are very happy that people continue to support us. “When we moved our charity shop from the Main Street premises it helped us to save some of the overheads, and we utilised space in Granby Street.

It now also houses our bike sales, hire and repair shop. We are now building up YPL to how it used to be, and our popular twice weekly auction is usually packed out.”

Phil continued, “I really feel now that we have found a good balance here, and we have evolved as a charity because we believe in providing employment for our local young people.”

Phil then gave me a grand tour upstairs showing me their amazing new shopping area worthy of the trendy Portobello Road Market or Camden Passage in London that he’s called The Salvage and Trading Post which has been running since July. You could say it is like an amazing Aladdin’s cave full of retro furniture and wondrous sought after items. Units are rented out to the traders at very affordable rates, and it is yet another innovative idea that boosts the Littleport profile for the better.

In the run-up to Christmas, YPL’s Festive Fayre started on Friday 27thNovember, and the children had the chance to see Father Christmas and receive a gift free of charge. ‘As we would all agree, volunteering of any kind keeps you in touch with the community and you can make an impact by bringing back that community spirit while helping others’

A New Year Children’s Show which is geared towards Primary School aged children is scheduled for Saturday 2nd of January 2016 from 2 to 5 pm. When you book a ticket for £2 it will be refunded to you when you give it up on the door. All those who attend are guaranteed the refund. See YPL for details and about registering your child/children through their website or Facebook page.

As everybody knows YPL is a charity run by volunteers and they are always on the lookout for more people to run the tea or charity shop, to help with the auctions and other charitable activities.

As we would all agree, volunteering of any kind keeps you in touch with the community and you can make an impact by bringing back that community spirit while helping others.

Any organisation or club wishing to use the facilities at YPL should contact Phil by email yplittleport@ btinternet.com or mobile number 07947823446.

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