Shopping with heart: How Pilgrims Shops power hospice care
Every bargain, every bag donated, every volunteer shift – it all adds up to something extraordinary.
Across east Kent, Pilgrims Hospices’ 33 shops are more than stores; they’re vibrant community hubs where preloved treasures find new homes, people shop affordably, and every purchase helps to fund hospice care.
More than shops: They are welcoming spaces on the high street
Pilgrims Shops provide:
- Affordable clothing and household essentials
- Friendly, welcoming spaces on the high street
- Opportunities to volunteer, learn new skills, and connect with others
Shopping second-hand also supports the planet by keeping items out of landfill, reducing demand for new products, and lowering CO₂ emissions all while raising income to support Pilgrims Hospices care services.
Exciting shop developments
- Whitstable: Horsebridge Books joins furniture and clothing stores
- Chartham: Extended the existing shop to include a fashion and home shop, including haberdashery and e-commerce team
- Ashford: Discount Store has a permanent home; media and homeware store offers books, music, and films
- Ramsgate: Plans to expand into neighbouring units, offering more stock and space
Retail events making a difference
Special sales like Kilo, Media, Jumble, Table Top, and pop-up events bring new shoppers, create excitement, and raise more for hospice care – all in a fun, community-focused way.
Volunteer voices
“I started volunteering to give back, but I’ve gained so much. The team feels like family, and knowing our efforts help local hospice care makes every shift worthwhile.”
– Pilgrims shop volunteer
Be part of something special
- Shop Find preloved fashion, furniture, books, and homeware.
- Donate Turn unwanted items into someone else’s treasure.
- Volunteer Join our teams and make a real difference. Last year, volunteers donated 124,000 hours, the equivalent of 68 full-time staff!
Together, we’re turning everyday shopping into extraordinary care.
Pilgrims Retail by the numbers
By December 2025, our shops achieved remarkable results:
- 1,145,646 items sold
- 297,714 clothing items given a second life
- 172,065 household items rehomed
- 122,095 books passed on to new readers
- 61,208 toys enjoyed by families
- 10,095 furniture items sold with 1,723 deliveries
- 4,645 new Gift Aid donors
All made possible by 635 volunteers and 102 staff – every figure tells a story of generosity.
