Winners of the Hospice UK Retail awards announced
Howard Lake | 27 April 2017 | News
The winners of the Hospice UK Retail awards were announced this morning at the Hospice UK Retail Conference in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
The awards are designed to recognise the best in charity shop and retail fundraising by hospices across the UK.
1. Retail Team of the Year
The 2017 Hospice UK Retail Team of the Year is @StChrisHospice #HUKRetailConf @Kudos4Charity pic.twitter.com/Vbf0QoYwkJ
— Hospice UK (@hospiceuk) April 27, 2017
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During 2016 the trading team at St Christopher’s Hospice in south London raised more than any year to date, generating more than £1 million profit from its 19 shops and opening two new shops, including a new retail hub.
The retail hub has supported all the other shops with stock storage sorting and consumables and also houses the retail offices, which has freed up much needed space in the hospice without the added costs for office space.
This, in addition to improvements introduced for data capture and to simplify the gift aid process, has enabled the trading team to “work smarter not harder”, keep costs down and increase profit productivity.
It has also allowed more time for training volunteers and staff, promoting growth and stability in the team.
2. Specialist Retail Outlet of the Year
Martlets Hospice won the Specialist Retail Outlet of the Year award for its enterprising ‘pop-up’ shop in Brighton’s shopping mall, Churchill Square as part of the popular art sculpture trail campaign called ‘Snowdogs by the Sea’. The stand sold Snowdog merchandise to support the art trail, including ceramic figurines, clothing, stationery and toys.
The pop-up shop was promoted on line, via social media, and in the local press and did a roaring trade from its first day of opening. During the eight weeks it took £60,000, plus £900 in cash donations.
Congrats to @martletshospice – 2017 Hospice UK Specialist Retail Outlet of the Year #HUKRetailConf @Kudos4Charity pic.twitter.com/HGdXQWY6IE
— Hospice UK (@hospiceuk) April 27, 2017
3. Volunteer of the Year
Phyllis Shepherd started volunteering in one of Thames Hospice’s shop shortly after her husband died, just over a year ago, giving up her free time every Saturday morning without fail.
Staff describe her as “an absolute treasure” and say her wonderful sense of humour and lively personality brings an influx of customers every Saturday who come in especially to see her, which is always reflected in the shops takings for the day.
A tremendous ovation for Phyllis Shepherd, 2017 Hospice UK Retail #Volunteer of the Year @ThamesHospCare #HUKRetailConf @Kudos4Charity pic.twitter.com/7zQXXQVvl3
— Hospice UK (@hospiceuk) April 27, 2017
She conscientiously will never leave the shop until the afternoon volunteers are all there to take over so the manager is never short on help and can take a well-deserved lunch break.
In addition to her volunteering she also does readings in the village library and organises coffee mornings in the village hall, meaning local residents get to know her and follow her to the shop when she is on shift.
4. Most unusual item donated
A birthing stool won the award for most unusual item donated. The item was left outside the St Ann’s hospice shop in Edgeley, Greater Manchester, one of 14 shops run by the charity across the city.
And the most unusual item donated to a hospice? Step forward a birthing stool donated to @StAnnsHospice #HUKRetailConf @Kudos4Charity (1/2)
— Hospice UK (@hospiceuk) April 27, 2017
Hospice UK is the national charity for hospice care and the only membership body for organisations providing hospice care. It supports and champion the work of more than 200 of these organisations across the UK.
This afternoon there is a Facebook Live stream from the conference at 2.25pm.
A quick guide to Retail Conference timings:
⏰ Start – 10am
🥇 Awards – 11am
🎥 @facebook Live Stream – 2.25pm #HUKRetailConf— Hospice UK (@hospiceuk) April 27, 2017
Hospice UK Retail Conference – Fake or Fortune?
Welcome to the Hospice UK Retail Conference! We are live with Paul Ellson from Birmingham Trading Standards, and his extremely informative workshop, “Fake or Fortune”. Please leave feedback for us during the workshop, and we’ll pass some of the questions on at the end!
Posted by Hospice UK on Thursday, 27 April 2017
- UK Fundraising’s next Fundraising Camp is specifically for hospice fundraisers. Book now to join us on 26 May in London.
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.