Fair Trade Shop

About the Shop | Volunteers Needed | Traidcraft | A Fairtrade City

A long established fair trade shop on the main foyer of Carrs Lane Church Centre, we buy from Traidcraft, the UK's leading fair trade organisation. In doing this, we help to fight poverty through trade, so helping poor people in developing countries have a much better standard of living.

Opening Times

The shop is open from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and now also on Saturday.  It also opens after our morning service on the first and third Sundays of the month.  Come and see our large stock and browse in peaceful surroundings; or leave an order and collect it the following week.

Traidcraft’s Spring and Summer 2012 catalogue is packed with products to suit all ethically conscious consumers - see the Traidcraft's Latest Range news item.

About the Shop

We offer a broad range of Traidcraft's wide variety of foods, jewellery and accessories, gifts, products for the home, greetings cards and gift wrap (including hand-made paper). Rarely we may not have the product you want in stock. We're very happy to order for you, whether a one-off item or a bulk order, and you benefit from not paying postage and packaging.  We also stock recycled tissue products and stationery. 

We have a team of dedicated volunteers, enthusastic and loyal.  Our focus is on promoting fair trade products and assisting Traidcraft in the work they do.  Any money made gets fed back into fair trade products and development, through Traidcraft Exchange.

Traidcraft works directly with the producers, providing training and long-term support.  Some of the volunteers have had the opportunity to meet with many of the producers.  This gave them a unique understanding of what a difference fair trade has made to their lives - and it continues to do so.

The outstanding record of Fairtrade in Birmingham, and the contribution of the shop at Carrs Lane, were featured on February 27th 2012 in the Birmingham Mail. (Note - there is more on Page 2 of the report!)

Back in 2010 our Fair Trade Shop and its Big Brew Event were featured in the Birmingham Mail Shopping Guide supplement on 15th February.  It led the front page, and there was a full page inside. This had a good article about fair trade and Traidcraft, as well as photos of four volunteers and goods in the shop. A shorter version can be seen on the Birmingham Mail website.

Volunteers Needed

The shop is run by a team of dedicated and committed volunteers.  They enjoy the opportunity to share their enthusiasm for this wonderful cause with those who come to visit them and buy the products.  Each volunteer commits as much time as they're willing and able to give.  The experience is a valuable one for both the shop and those who give their time.  

If you have time to give and a willingness to share in the important work of fair trade and Traidcraft, please consider volunteering to help with the shop.  You'll find friendship and a warm welcome, whether you can manage once a week or once every couple of months.

If you can help, please contact Joan at the Church Centre: phone (0121) 643 6151 or call in, during shop hours.

About Traidcraft

Traidcraft is the leading fair trade organisation in the UK, helping thousands of families around the developing world work their way out of poverty.

World trade has brought huge benefits to rich countries and big companies. Sadly the poor have not fared so well. One fifth of the world's population still live on less than $1 (approx. 60p) per day - the benchmark of absolute poverty. Imbalances of power and resources mean that the poor often cannot compete, and are trapped in unjust cycles of exploitation and inequality.

Traidcraft was established in 1979 as a Christian response to such poverty, and helps small producers in the developing world engage in international trade. It works with people of all faiths and none, to create opportunities for the poor to harness the benefits of trade, offering them hope for a better future.

Visit the Traidcraft website!

A Fairtrade City

Birmingham is a Fairtrade city.   Visit the Fairtrade Association Birmingham website!

Traidcraft Exchange (the charitable arm of Traidcraft) and the United Reformed Church are both among the charity shareholders of the Fairtrade Foundation, which licenses the FAIRTRADE Mark (left) to products which meet internationally recognised standards.

Visit the Fairtrade Foundation website!