Tag: Retail

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Fun Family Open Day at Willow Wood Clearance Outlet

Willow Wood Hospice is inviting the local community to a Fun Family Open Day at its Clearance Outlet and Donation Centre in Ashton-under-Lyne.

It’s taking place on Saturday 26th April from 10am to 3pm at the Hospice’s shop at Unit 4 on Langham Street, off Oldham Road (postcode OL7 9AX). On-street parking will be available.

The event promises to be a jam-packed day of activities for people of all ages to have fun, grab a bargain and learn more about joining the Hospice’s team of volunteers in its growing retail operations.

For your little ones, there will be face painting, free goodie bags for the first 50 children, and an opportunity to meet Hospice mascot Woody the Bear.

To keep you refreshed, there will be ice cream, cakes and more available to buy. Plus, there will be a raffle and a tombola – with a chance to win some fab prizes!

Paul King, Warehouse and Logistics Manager, said: “Our Clearance Outlet opened in October last year as a ground floor retail space and we have already received lots of fantastic feedback.

“We would love to welcome new customers, so bring along your family and friends to have some Saturday fun, pick up a bargain and support patients from your local community with a life-limiting illness.”

Lisa Pye, Volunteer Services Manager, added: “We’re excited for what promises to be a brilliant day. As well as a chance for families to enjoy some springtime fun, anyone curious about volunteering opportunities at the Hospice and our charity shops will be able to find out lots more information.”

Anyone who would like to find out more about the Fun Family Open Day can email volunteering@willowwood.org.uk or call 0161 330 1100.

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Hospice shops introduce new smoother system for furniture donations

To make the most of every donation, Willow Wood Hospice’s charity shops now have a new system for fast and free furniture collection.

It comes as the Hospice’s furniture donation vans have also been given a much-needed makeover.

Having looked a little worse for wear previously, the refreshed fleet have a clear and contemporary new livery with details of the updated donation process.

With the newly revamped vans hitting the road across Tameside and Glossop, the Hospice is rolling out a smoother system for swifter furniture collections.

Previously, donors had to call the Purchase and Donate (PAD) shop in Stalybridge to arrange a pick-up, but the process has now been streamlined to make it more efficient.

Now, anyone looking to donate furniture can contact Paul King, Warehouse and Logistics Manager, and his team directly.

You can take photographs of the item(s) you wish to donate and send them via WhatsApp on 07549 275158 with your name and address including postcode, as well as a description of the item(s).

If you don’t have WhatsApp, you can submit your photographs by filling out a simple form on the Hospice website at https://willowwood.org.uk/furniture-collection/

For those unable to send photographs, you can call 0161 669 4849 to speak to the team to arrange collection.

Our Hospice furniture donation vans were looking a little worse for wear. But fear not, because we’ve given them a much-needed makeover!

Paul said: “It’s essential that we have as much information as possible about the donation because we cannot accept everything and we would hate to waste anybody’s time in turning up to pick up an item that we would be unable to accept – e.g. a sofa without a fire label or furniture that we wouldn’t be able to sell because of wear and tear.”

The new process means the Hospice’s team can make the best use of the space at the Donation Centre in Ashton-under-Lyne, plan collections more effectively, and get donations into shops quicker than ever.

About the new system, Paul added: “It’s all about better stock distribution, smoother sales, and faster collections.

“This new system isn’t just making collections easier—it’s set to boost furniture sales and improve stock across all three shops! The PAD and Waterloo will continue to sell furniture, but without the added pressure of handling logistics, freeing them up to focus on providing the best possible service to our customers.

“Plus, we’ve simplified booking system, so it’s now easier than ever to donate! We introduced a WhatsApp function which is already been a game-changer, letting people send photos and a description of their donation for a quicker response.

“From first contact to collection, the whole process can now be wrapped up in as little as three days, depending on what suits the donor—making it faster, simpler, and more efficient for everyone!”

If you see the new-look vans out and about, tag Willow Wood Hospice on their Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn platforms.

The Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, provides specialist, compassionate and dignified care to patients from Tameside and Glossop with any life-limiting illness and those closest to them.

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Glossop shop celebrates Vivienne Westwood’s legacy

Our charity shop in Glossop is paying tribute to the iconic fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood with a stunning window display celebrating her incredible legacy.

Vivienne made her mark in the 1970s, bringing punk and new wave fashion into the mainstream with her bold and eccentric designs. We’re honouring her creative spirit with a unique display that reflects her iconic style.

Millie, who has been volunteering in the shop for three years, came up with the idea.

“I’m a massive Vivienne Westwood fan and as we are close to her birthplace, I thought what better way for us to celebrate a true icon for what would have been her birthday,” she said.

Crafted by our talented staff and volunteers, the display was unveiled last Saturday (29th March) and will remain in place until at least Tuesday 8th April, which would have been Vivienne’s 84th birthday.

WATCH: See the window display in a short video, by clicking the play button below…

A connection with Vivienne

Vivienne’s company Vivienne Westwood Limited donated a designer bag to Sara Scott-Rivers, Executive Assistant to our CEO Tracy Minshull – who lives in Tintwistle, where Vivienne grew up.

Sara is a big fan of Vivienne and her brand, as well as her environmentally conscious ethos.

Vivienne received hospice care in south London before she died in December 2022 at the age of 81 and as Sara works at a hospice, it felt like a meaningful connection.

Sara said: “I think Vivienne would approve of the bag helping to raise vital funds for a hospice.”

Describing the piece, Sara added: “It’s small and tartan with a thick heavy chain – very eye-catching. It’s in its dust bag with a little card. I hope it raises a decent amount for Willow Wood and it would be lovely if it finds a home with someone who loves all things Westwood.”

Sara with the bag outside the Hospice

Win a Westwood masterpiece!

That very bag is now part of our Glossop shop display, in photographic form, and is the prize in an exciting raffle.

Tickets can be bought in the shop at 12 High Street West, and at Pixie Bakes Cakery & Coffee Shop in Tintwistle, for £1 each. The raffle will be drawn on Saturday 19th April.  

Even after her move to London, Vivienne never forgot her Peak District roots. Indeed, a striking mural of the designer, created by local artist Deggy, is proudly displayed in Glossop town centre.

So it’s fitting that our boutique-style Glossop shop remembers a local icon who will always be synonymous with fashion.

Caroline Lillis, our Glossop shop manager, said: “We’re excited to celebrate Vivienne Westwood’s incredible legacy with this special window display. I’d like to thank the whole team for their hard work – it looks magnificent.

“As a trailblazing fashion icon with strong local connections, this is a wonderful opportunity to honour her creativity and impact. We hope the display inspires our community and highlights Vivienne’s lasting influence on fashion.”

If you’re in Glossop, make sure to stop by and take a look!

You’ve got to see the display for yourself!

Fashion Show alert!

On the subject of style, don’t miss our next Fashion Show on Friday 9th May at The Lock in Stalybridge. Expect a fabulous night of style, sparkle, and bargains!

For more details and tickets, visit willowwood.org.uk/events/fashion-show

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Sixth Form students give their time to Hospice shops

Seven students from Ashton Sixth Form College have spent some of their time volunteering recently in our Willow Wood Hospice charity shops.

Ahmed Cali, Adam Dixon, Armaan Hussain, Oliver Hutchfield, Nathan Nyoni, Alexandra Serban and Maurice Owhonda Utchay generously gave their time to support our retail operations.

The seven of them, all second-year A-Level Business students, gave a combined 350 hours volunteering at The Purchase and Donate (PAD) in Stalybridge, as well as at our Waterloo and Ashton-under-Lyne shops.

The students had to complete 40 hours of work experience each as part of their course, but they all ended up doing 50 instead – between 24th February and 3rd March.

Ahmed and Maurice volunteering at our Ashton town centre shop

Adam, 18, from Dukinfield admitted he didn’t know a lot about the Hospice beforehand. However, he learned a lot more during his time volunteering, including that the income generated from our charity shops directly supports patient services at the Hospice.

Adam commented on his time working at The PAD in Stalybridge: “It was fantastic. It helped me improve my confidence and other skills like communication and time management.

“When the delivery van came in, I helped move all of the sofas and cabinets into the store, and I carried items from the store into the van to deliver to customers. I also put donated items onto shelves and helped customers when they needed support.”

The work of the students not only supported the Hospice’s shops, but it also gave them opportunities to build their skills and gain more work experience.

Adam being interviewed at Ashton Sixth Form College by Ciaran Greenwood during his placement with the Hospice’s Communications team

Adam further commented on his future ambitions, seeking entrepreneurial goals: “I want to start sharing, like going into investments and start going from there. So just get a job somewhere, save up money and start investing it into various businesses.”

He enjoyed it so much that Adam is continuing his volunteering at Willow Wood, working at The PAD on Fridays during his free periods at college. We wish him and the rest of our amazing student volunteers the best of luck in their future endeavours.

Willow Wood Volunteer Services Manager, Lisa Pye, had this to say about the students’ efforts: “We are very thankful for the amazing support that the students at Ashton Sixth Form College have given us. Volunteers are vitally important to help support the work that Willow Wood Hospice does. We’ve had fantastic feedback from the retail managers about all of the hard work they have done, and we hope they enjoyed it and taken something from the experience.”

If you want to learn more about the volunteering opportunities that are available at Willow Wood Hospice, please visit www.willowwood.org.uk/volunteering to express your interest.

By Ciaran Greenwood

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eBay coining it in: A treasure trove at Waterloo

In a delightful discovery that felt straight out of a treasure-hunting adventure, our Waterloo shop recently stumbled upon a hidden gem: over 100 old coins!

Among this fascinating find was a stunning 1658 Oliver Cromwell commemorative medal. Talk about a historic haul!

Once the coins were uncovered, Waterloo’s manager Kellie knew they had struck gold – well, maybe silver!

Kellie quickly sent the treasure trove over to our brilliant eBay team, where the ever-enthusiastic Nicola jumped in with both feet. For six whole days, she rolled up her sleeves, diving deep into research to uncover the story behind each coin. Talk about coin-queror skills!

After meticulously photographing and listing each coin, Nicola’s hard work paid off in a big way. The final fundraising total? A whopping £8,715.00!

That’s right – thanks to teamwork, tenacity, and a dash of treasure-hunting spirit, we’ve added a considerable boost to our funds.

So here’s to the collaborative efforts between our community, our retail team and the eBay team who have turned these coins into patient care! Keep up the fantastic work, team!

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Janet retires after 17 years of service

We have said a heartfelt farewell to Janet Delaney, who is retiring after an incredible 17 years of dedicated service to Willow Wood Hospice.

Janet has been an integral part of our Retail team, working across multiple shops including Droylsden, Hyde, Stalybridge, Glossop, The PAD and, most recently, our Distribution Centre (now the Clearance Outlet and Donation Centre).

Janet’s favourite role has always been sorting, where her expertise and hard work has made a huge difference to our operations.

When asked what she’ll miss most, Janet – Distribution Centre Assistant – said it will be our amazing volunteers, who have provided her with so much support over the years.

On what was her final working day on Tuesday (10th December), Janet was presented with a card, flowers and a beautiful cake courtesy of her colleagues.

Paul King, our Warehouse and Logistics Manager, shared: “Janet will be missed by so many. We can’t thank her enough for her years of dedication and service.”

We wish Janet all the best in this exciting new chapter of her life and she will always be part of the Willow Wood family.

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Customer’s praise for ‘community asset’ Hospice shop

Jackie Price, from Dane Bank in Denton, is a regular and loyal customer of our Reddish Lane shop – where you’ll find her at least twice a week!

She believes the shop is a real asset to the community and could not speak highly enough of our hard-working staff and volunteers.

“I love everything about the shop,” said Jackie. “Louise [the shop manager] and all of the volunteers are amazing.

“I almost forget that I am in a charity shop – there’s a boutique feel about it and a strong sense of community.

“Louise takes great pride in the shop and works hard on her window displays. I have made friends from visiting the shop – from the volunteers to fellow customers too.

“The staff go out of their way to help you – especially if you are looking for a particular thing like a bag or a pair of shoes. I always leave the shop feeling so lifted.”

Shop manager Louise (second from left) and some of her dedicated volunteers

Jackie doesn’t have any personal connections to the Hospice but likes to support Willow Wood by shopping for pre-loved items.

“The shop is so welcoming, everything is colour co-ordinated and it’s just a real joy to visit,” she explained.

“I keep spreading the word to everyone I know about it. You feel like you are supporting a good cause as well as the environment which is important.

“I wanted to give the team at the Reddish Lane shop some well-deserved recognition.”

We need at least £3.3 million every year to continue providing our vital services and we rely on the generosity of our community to raise around 80 per cent of that total – including through supporting our charity shops.

To find your nearest Willow Wood Hospice shop in Tameside and Glossop, visit https://willowwood.org.uk/shop-locations/

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Rhoda remembers fallen soldiers with special display

On Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, the local community will fall silent to honour the servicemen and women who risked their lives in conflicts around the world for our freedom.

This period of Remembrance is particularly poignant and significant for our Hospice volunteer Rhoda Hendry, whose uncle Jack died in the Second World War.

For the third successive year, Rhoda has created a special Remembrance-themed display in the window of the bric-a-brac room at our Purchase and Donate (PAD) shop in Stalybridge to commemorate the occasion.

“I was born in 1937, two years before the Second World War started, so I spent many a night in an air raid shelter,” Rhoda recalled.

“My father’s youngest brother was 21 years old when he was killed in Belgium. He’s buried in Leopoldville, which we went to see as a family and it’s a magnificent place. Jack’s name is also etched on the Cenotaph in Ashton.

“Remembrance does mean a lot to me because they gave their tomorrow for our today. It’s important to reflect and remember every year.

“People don’t realise what those men and women sacrificed. It’s unbelievable to think what they must have gone through because they didn’t have the equipment in the early parts of the war that we have nowadays.”

Rhoda has created the display for the third year in a row

Rhoda – who has siblings who also give the gift of their time to the Hospice – will be paying her own respects on Remembrance Sunday at the ceremony held in Stalybridge.

She takes pride in what’s on view in the window at The PAD, recently creating a spook-tacular Halloween display and will soon be putting together a festive-themed one.

“I have never had any tuition in dressing windows but I have worked in shops before during my career,” Rhoda explained.

“People walk past and look at it or come in the shop and say nice comments about the window displays. If you can’t do something with 110 per cent of effort, don’t do it at all, is my motto.”

The 87-year-old spent around an hour on her Remembrance window – she made the poppy wreath herself and her daughter contributed the soldier silhouettes.

The framed photograph and story of how a Stalybridge resident gave up their home during the war to become a hospital for injured soldiers to recuperate was donated by Peter from Providence Furniture in Hyde, who is a supporter of the Hospice and has a keen interest in the Royal British Legion.

The display is in the window of The PAD shop on Shepley Street in Stalybridge

Rhoda, who lives in Dukinfield, has been volunteering for Willow Wood since 2006 – which is her way of giving back after her husband received end-of-life care at the Hospice.

“John died at Willow Wood in 2001 and I will never be able to repay the staff for what they did for him,” she said.

“I stayed at home for five years and then I thought I have to do something. I started at the Grosvenor Street shop in Stalybridge and have never looked back really.

“I now help out for three days a week at The PAD and I love it. I take great joy when I go home at the end of the day in seeing how much money we have raised for the Hospice.

“My sister Patricia and my brother Terence also volunteer for the Hospice too. Patricia helps to clean the bric-a-brac room at the PAD.”

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Fourth Fashion Show is a stylish success!

We are thrilled that our fourth Fashion Show was the most successful yet – raising an incredible £4,000!

Our spectacular show last Friday (1st November) took place at the stunning larger venue of The Lock – the former Phoenix City building – in Stalybridge for the first time.

Over 100 people showed their support for an evening filled with style, sparkle and unbeatable bargains.

Guests enjoyed a glass of fizz and a runway show featuring our fantastic models, before taking the opportunity to shop the chicest collections at fabulous prizes.

Pauline Lunt, our Head of Retail, said: “We had an amazing night at a lovely venue. I want to say a huge thank you to Wendy and the team at The Lock for all of their support, all of our wonderful models, our Retail team for helping to organise the event, and everyone who bought a ticket.

“Your fantastic collaboration and dedication make a real difference to patient care at the Hospice. Our four Fashion Shows combined have raised £13,000, which is a phenomenal amount.”

Our Fashion Show will be back next year – so keep an eye out for more details!

Photos credit: David Hirst