First Hospice Retail Awards winners announced
Howard Lake | 7 May 2013 | News
Some of the most inventive and effective hospice retailers have been recognised in Help the Hospices’ first Hospice Retail Awards. The winners received their awards at the Help the Hospices Retail Conference 2013 in Birmingham last week
Most Inventive Hospice Retail Initiative
Earl Mountbatten Hospice Prison Products Project won the Most Inventive Hospice Retail Initiative. The idea came about by chance from a tour of HMP Isle of Wight by Earl Mountbatten Hospice staff, when they spotted a workshop in which concrete garden ornaments were being made.
The inmates’ creations have been sold via the hospice’s shops on the Isle of Wight since March 2012. Over 1,000 items have been sold, including garden ornaments, plants, metal plant stands, wooded planters and bespoke wooden garden benches. The inmates gave been given the opportnity to learn new skills and feel that they have been able to put something back into the community.
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Kath Bright, Retail Team Leader at Earl Mountbatten Hospice said: “Collaboration and communication have been key to the success of this project with Earl Mountbatten Hospice keeping the workshop managers up-to-date with positive feedback from our customers. Significantly, the hospice always advertises that the products come from the prison to promote a positive message of our work together which provides a vital link between the local community and prison inmates.”
Hospice Retail Staff Member of the Year
Phyllis Jones, Retail Manager of St Kentigern Hospice, won the award for Hospice Retail Staff Member of the Year. Based in the coastal town of Abergele in North Wales, Jones has to manage and motivate teams of volunteers in St Kentigern Hospice’s 11 shops, none of which have managers.
Since she joined the team eight years ago, the charity’s retail presence has has expanded considerably. She has opened three more charity shops, refurbished another five and set up an EBay shop.
Jackie Jeffery, Fundraising Manager at St Kentigern Hospice said: “Phyllis is an inspiration to our volunteers and her co-workers; she keeps a tight ship but is fair to all, and doesn’t expect anyone to do anything she wouldn’t do herself. She will probably go mad, if she finds out that she was nominated, but we feel she totally deserves this award.”
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.