Two Wimbledon BID businesses have joined forces to help young people with learning disabilities on their way to volunteering or paid employment. Wimbledon based retail technology specialist, Retail IT provides equipment, training and ongoing support to Merton Connected’s charity retail initiative Fayre & Square. The community shop is based on the Upper Level of Centre Court Shopping Centre and offers support and retail training placements to volunteers with learning disabilities.

Fayre and Square was born from the idea of supporting young people into employment. It provides supported retail skills for young adults and a platform for local independent artisans to showcase their hand made products to the public. Dozens of young volunteers have completed placements at Fayre and Square, with the majority progressing on to further training or volunteering and several moving on from the project into paid employment.