Free Shop In Garden Helping Tackle Cost Of Living - Types Of Gardening

©BBC Claudia, Jenny and Naomi have set up a stand where people can donate and collect clothes because of the high cost of living.

A family who set up a "free shop" in their backyard has helped hundreds of people struggling with the cost of living, they say.

Jenny Gough, 42, and her daughters Claudia, 18, and Naomi, 14, launched Bag It For Free in Cardiff in January.

People can pick up clothes donated by the local community for free.

Jenny said she told people she pulls kids on her back.

She said she "loves every minute" of supporting others with her daughters.

Located in the Llanrumney area, the shop is open on Saturdays and Mondays and offers free clothes, shoes and toys that people can spend on other essentials like bills.

"People tell us they went out and did a big shopping spree because we could put clothes on their kids' backs," Jenny said.

“They can add gas and electricity and heat their kids. It is great."

"I had to sell stuff to pay the bills."

© BBC Sarah and her son James say the store has helped them increase their income

Sarah Turner, 49, uses the shop because gas and electricity costs are "killed" in the winter.

He sold cell phones, watches and necklaces to pay for electricity.

I had to sell things, believe it or not, just to get energy this morning.

"Things I didn't want to get rid of, but I had no choice."

© BBC The stand is a success and shoppers sometimes say they have no choice

Sarah says she and her family have no choice but to limit alcohol consumption.

"That's why I come to places like this to buy clothes and stuff because I can't afford it, so I can't really afford it," she said.

He couldn't work because of spinal arthritis, but he said the benefits didn't cover what he needed.

She said: "It was almost gone once I paid rent, gas, electricity, food."

His son James, 28, works as a security guard at Cardiff's Principality Stadium and receives Universal Credit.

She lives with her mother and says she tries to help where she can, but describes it as a struggle and feels like she's missing a lot.

"It's very frustrating and sometimes we don't know what to do," he said.

"I like doing things and taking care of my family and enjoying life, but the way things are going lately, that's not really happening," he said.

BBC

He said Jenny, Claudia and Naomi "deserve a medal" for what they've done to help the community.

Naomi and Claudia said the experience was "moving".

"It's nice to see the kids come out to watch and the parents aren't like, 'No, I can't afford it' or 'You don't have it,'" Naomi said.

Claudia added: "It makes me smile at night knowing you've helped so many people. I love helping, it's wonderful.

"People lose the things that are important to them."

© BBC Nikki said the place was great for people like her who were struggling.

Nicky, 49, from Porth in Rhondda, visited Cynon Taf after reading the comment on Facebook.

"This is about the community coming together and helping each other," he said.

"I'm fighting with myself, I haven't worked because I've been ill for so long, it's amazing to have a place like this.

"It can be very difficult if you are not in good health while receiving the benefits.

"People think charities live the life of Reilly, but that's not the case.

"I don't know what important things are left unfinished."

Jenny said there has been a lot of interest in the deal on social media.

"We can do 100 in a weekend and we're helping people on a scale that we never thought we'd make such a big difference," he said.

“We love every minute of it.

"It's amazing and if it can get bigger and better then we will. We will never give up now.”

More of this story on Wales Live on BBC One Wales on Wednesday at 22:35 GMT

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