HUMANITARIAN volunteer Natalie Newell wants shops in and around Swindon to help Ugandan families by stocking Fair Trade goods.

In 2005 Natalie reported back to Adver readers from her gap year in a Ugandan village, where she taught children about Aids and helped set up a women's group.

Now the members of that group have built up their confidence so much that the villagers want to sell their handmade and recycled necklaces and coloured paper baskets in Swindon, through Natalie.

Natalie has got one shop onboard but she wants more. "The most important thing is to get this support for the women by getting more shops," said Natalie.

"For now we just have the one but I have been contacting loads of places that sell Fair Trade goods, churches, voluntary groups, shops, to tell them what we are doing and why.

"And I think once most people understand the money raised by selling the goods will go directly to the women they will come and help."

Natalie, 25, returned to Uganda a year ago to continue her work with the Student Partnerships Worldwide, the charity she initially volunteered with.

And while there she continued working with the Bakuseka Majja Women's Group in her spare time.

"Initially the group began as a way for women to meet, share knowledge and receive advice related to health issues," said Natalie, who grew up in Liden.

"But it became evident that the women wished to develop the group further to empower themselves, to enable them to help themselves by learning skills and to be able to generate their own income independently.

"The women now feel they can contribute to bettering their lives and those of their families, that they are useful, skilful individuals with a voice.

"Now more women wish to join that were not able to join before due to their husbands not allowing them to and the men are joining together to form their own group."

So far, the only shop to commit to a stall by the women's group is Dandy Lion in Wootton Bassett High Street.

To get in touch with Natalie or to see the products from the women's group, contact Valerie Newell on 01793 635082, or email natty@hotmail.com.