Pendleside Hospice is celebrating the remarkable efforts of its retail operations, which includes nine charity shops across Burnley and Pendle, an eBay store, and a small shop within the Hospice's reception area.

Over the past year, Pendleside’s retail operation has generated an impressive contribution of £375,663 towards patient care at the Hospice! Earlier this month, Pendleside's retail team, including their coordinators and many dedicated volunteers, got together at their Retail Conference to celebrate their achievements and discuss future plans. 

Since the pandemic, Pendleside's retail shops have flourished thanks to the dedication of the team, the unwavering support of volunteers, the valued customers who visit their shops time and time again, and the community's generosity in donating preloved goods.

Pendleside's Head of Income Generation, Louisa Mayor, expressed her pride, saying, "I am incredibly proud of our Pendleside Team and their commitment to ensuring all our retail shops operate smoothly. The financial impact of Covid-19 was significant, but over the last three years, our retail team has demonstrated remarkable strength and unity."

"At the start of last year, we introduced our Rewear Revolution campaign to promote the benefits of buying preloved items, which in turn supports patient and family care at Pendleside Hospice. The perception of wearing second-hand items has evolved, and our campaign aimed to further this shift, as well as raise awareness that our retail shops are a trove of great finds. The campaign also highlighted the sustainability factors of shopping preloved goods, and the positive impact this has on our planet."

"Our team of retail coordinators and volunteers have also worked hard to encourage more people to opt into Gift Aid. Raising awareness about Gift Aid among our donors has been incredibly beneficial, generating nearly £80,000 from HMRC in the past year alone. This comes at no extra cost to the donor or the customer. If you're a UK taxpayer, you can simply tick the box on a simple form, when you drop off your donations, and this will allow our charity to claim back 25% from the government, on every purchase made! If you wish to make a donation of goods to Pendleside, these can be dropped off at any of our retail shops or at our Donation Centre, located next to the main Hospice building."

"It's an exciting time for Pendleside's retail team, and it's wonderful to acknowledge their efforts and achievements over the past year and beyond. Dragonflies Boutique, which opened in Barrowford in November 2023, has been another significant success, warmly received by our community. The Boutique exclusively stocks high-end fashion and designer wear, offering a unique shopping experience."

"Looking ahead, we aim to continue strengthening our retail operation and welcome donations of clothes, furniture, household items, toys, and more, to support Pendleside Hospice. The income from our charity shops significantly contributes to patient care. To put it into perspective, the income generated from the past year will fund approximately 10 registered nurses, ensuring we meet our patients' needs."

"We're also developing a loyalty card scheme, so stay tuned!"

The success of Pendleside Hospice is largely due to the incredible support from the community and the dedication of its over 250 volunteers. Pendleside is continuously looking for more volunteers to assist in running their nine retail shops. Volunteering provides various benefits such as flexible hours, the opportunity to make new friends, participation in social events organised by the Hospice, contributing positively to the local community, and enjoying a staff discount at all shops.

Amanda Holdstock, one of Pendleside’s volunteers at the Padiham shop shared, “It’s a really fun experience working in the shop and being around a team who are all here to make a difference. It’s exciting receiving the donations as you never know what you’re going to get! It’s even more rewarding to watch those items sell, knowing everything is going to a fantastic cause.”

Christine Turner, who has been volunteering at the Padiham shop for just over two years adds, “The team is fantastic and it’s truly an honour to be giving something back to a worthy cause. My mother-in-law was cared for by Pendleside’s Hospice at Home team and my father-in-law was cared for by another hospice. When I used to visit him, I remember the hospice being a peaceful place to be and certainly not an unhappy one. My experiences are what has led me to volunteer at Pendleside.”

If you would like to be part of our amazing team, please contact Lisa Clarke, Volunteer Coordinator, on 01282 440 159 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, feel free to visit one of the shops to discuss the opportunities further.