I was recently appointed as a Trustee for Garden House Hospice Care so this month, I’m handing my column over to the team there, so they can tell you a bit more about the amazing work we do, and an introduction to our sustainability ambitions.

More than just a charity shop

As well as being the public face of Hospice on the high-street, our 12 shops, Depot and online platforms play an essential role in our community, promoting a healthy climate both socially and economically.

A third of our charitable income comes from trading, a valuable stream which supports the sustainability of our life-changing services.

This income is something we must sustain, and we rely heavily on 50,000 hours of volunteer time every year to help us meet our target.

David Cooper is Deputy Director of Trading at the Hospice:

“We’re so proud to have a presence in the community in every aspect of our services and believe our shops still have an important part to play in our local towns.

They support sustainability, save tonnes from landfill each year and positively impact loneliness, physical and mental wellbeing through volunteering roles across Garden House Hospice Care.

“However, it’s a tough climate for charity shops. People are holding onto items for longer and we've seen a decrease in the quality of donations we receive, which affects the income we generate.

“As someone who sees the difference each donation makes here at the Hospice, I ask you to think of us next time you pull that jacket out the wardrobe that you no longer wear, or dust off the toy your toddler no longer plays with. These items really can change lives for the better when gifted to Garden House Hospice Care.”

Do you have unwanted items you want to donate? Visit The Depot, our one stop shop for donations, second-hand shopping, upcycling and online sales. 1 Protea Way, Letchworth, SG6 1JT.

Did you know that a third of our charitable funding is made up from trading activities? 

How do we make our trading income?

· Shops

· The Depot

· Online sales

· Upcycling

· House clearance

· Furniture collection

· Gift Aid

· Recycling rag

In terms of sustainability, we want to increase our positive impact on the community and planet, which is why we’re in the process of learning more and developing a sustainability strategy for the hospice.

Sustainability is so much more than a buzz word for us here at the Hospice. The first piece of the puzzle is all about education – knowledge is power, and we want to ensure we have the right tools and information to create a culture that is climate-aware, making positive choices for our planet whilst sustaining our palliative and end of life care services.

Sustainability is high on our agenda, and we are thrilled to have Jo by our side on the Board of Trustees to support our strategy moving forward. We look forward to sharing more with you all as our plans develop.