In May 2024, St Michael’s Hospice opened the doors at its brand-new charity superstore in Whitestone Business Park, Hereford.
Hundreds flocked to its grand opening and have continued to show their support throughout its first year, with over 160,000 visitors spending £1.3 million in the shop and café.
One year on, this popular destination has transformed how the local community shop and support their local hospice, with one local couple even choosing to furnish their whole home from the Whitestone shop.
As well as raising crucial funds for St Michael’s Hospice, this site champions sustainability, from promoting pre-loved shopping online and in store, to saving as many items from landfill as possible. Items sold in the shop at Whitestone haveso far saved over 125,905 kg from going to landfill, resulting in a CO2 emission saving of 1,697,189 kg.
Furthermore, within this first year, over 77,379 bags were donated with Gift Aid, demonstrating further the support from the charity’s donors. As a result, 41% of sales during thisperiod had Gift Aid attached, allowing St Michael’s to claim an additional £113,140 from the government – a much-appreciated contribution to the funds needed to support the important care services the hospice provides.
Rachel Jones, Director of Income Generation, Marketing & Communications at St Michael’s, said, “Hundreds of patients and families have received care and support, free-of-charge thanks to our customers’ visits to Whitestone over the last year. We simply couldn’t support as many people in the community without our shops, with funding from our retail portfolio overtaking the contribution from the NHS. Our shops are an essential part of helping the community give pre-loved quality items a second chance, whilst raising money for their local hospice.”
Rachel added “We are also hugely grateful to those who give their time to volunteer on site. It’s a great team. Of course,we’re always looking for more helpers, so if you would like to help in the shop, cafe or Warehouse, we’d love to hear from you.”
Want to visit St Michael’s Hospice Whitestone? This shop is located at Whitestone Business Park, Hereford, HR13SE. Stayup to date with the latest news from St Michael’s Hospiceshops by following them on Facebook and Instagram (@shopstmichaelshospice) or visiting their website www.st-michaels-hospice.org.uk
If you’re interested in volunteering at Whitestone email whitestone@smhospicehereford.org
