Saint Francs Hospice opens its latest shop in Waltham Forest

Saint Francis Hospice was delighted to open its first shop in Waltham Forest. 

Grazina Berry, CEO at the Hospice, along with trustees and staff, were at the shop in Old Church Road, Chingford, to celebrate the occasion on Wednesday 21st January and to greet customers as they came through the doors. 

“Opening another shop is a fantastic milestone for us, and the warm welcome we received in Chingford meant a great deal,” said Paul Newell, Head of Retail at Saint Francis Hospice. 

“Our shops do more than offer great value and quality items. They are an important part of the community. They provide vital income that helps fund our compassionate palliative and end-of-life care, and they are often the first place people go when they want to learn more about hospice support. Our team are always ready to lend a listening ear and help signpost anyone who may benefit from our services. 

“Hearing people share their personal experiences of how we cared for their loved ones reminded us why our work matters. 

“We also received some great feedback from customers on what they’d like to see in the shop, and that will help us tailor the donations we sell.” 

The shop offers a wide selection of good quality clothing, homeware, children’s wear, toys, books, CDs and jewellery at affordable prices, with new stock arriving two to three times a week. 

The shop is managed by Valerie, an experienced retail professional, supported by Jane, who began as a volunteer before progressing into her new paid role as Assistant Manager. 

“Without volunteers, we would not be able to run our shops, and we’d love local people to give us the gift of their time,” said Paul. “It’s a great opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and contribute to supporting people who need hospice care. 

“The response from local residents so far has been wonderful, and we hope they will continue to support us by shopping with us and donating their pre-loved goods.” 

For more information about volunteering, visit sfh.org.uk/volunteering