Pilgrims shop goes the whole nine yards for a sale
Pilgrims Hospices shop in New Romney will be holding a Yard Sale on Saturday 20 August between 10am and 3pm.
The busy High Street shop will be open as usual, selling a range of clothing, bric-a-brac, books, toys, jewellery and more. At the rear of the shop, the courtyard will be open for customers to browse and purchase items that are not always readily available in store.
The Yard Sale will include everything from power tools, hand tools, both preloved and vintage, to screws and nails, tool boxes, and ratchets, gardening equipment, comprising of lawn mowers, strimmers, plant pots, along with fishing gear and everything in between. There will also be plenty of crafting materials, puzzles, a tombola and a secret gift bag tub. Everything at affordable prices, and generating much-needed funds for local hospice care.
Julia Nailor, Pilgrims Hospices Shop Manager said: “We ran a very successful ‘Yard Sale’ last year, and customers have asked us to run the event again. The sale was one of our most successful days ever, with sales of more than £2,500 for the charity, we just didn’t stop all day! We hope our shoppers and supporters will help us do as well again this year.”
The charity shop is run by a band of volunteers; Julia calls them her Pilgrims family.
She added: “I appreciate each and every one of them, all with their different skill sets and qualities, this is a brilliant little gem of a shop and we are kept busy by our loyal local shoppers and often get a visit from holidaymakers and some even return to donate products to our shop.”
“One ofthe most unusual donations was a bright yellow cement mixer; it was snapped up quickly for a princely sum of £80 by a very happy purchaser.”
New Romney shop volunteers: Jacqui Mears, Catherine Henwood, Fiona Bennett, Maureen Hicks and Mary Hyde
Julia’s band of volunteers are busy bringing the Yard Sale to life; they’ve been collecting and preparing products for the event over the past few months, so there will be plenty to discover.
Volunteer Jacqui Mears has been a team member for 12 years, originally sharing her time at Lydd and now at the New Romney shop on the High Street.
She told us: “I only called in for a book.”
She now volunteers her time to help three days each week to support the charity.
Maureen Hicks who has also volunteered for 12 years said:
“After retirement, I soon became bored. I knew someone who volunteered at the Pilgrims shop and I decided to offer my time too. My thoughts are that you never know when you might need Pilgrims’ support, so I’m very happy to be a Tuesday girl and part of Julia’s team of volunteers.”
Volunteer Mary Hyde is the shop’s crafting expert, with an eye for craft materials and a champion knitter. Mary spends her spare time, when not volunteering at the shop, creating novelty knits as gifts and ensuring the shop dollies are fully dressed and ready for sale.
She told us: “I’m looking forward to the Yard Sale, I’ve been picking out patterns, needles, fabrics and card-making materials from people’s kind donations, ready for our big event. There will be many items to choose from, and we even have a sewing machine and a dye cutting machine for sale too. I will be happy to share my knowledge and give advice to new crafters if I can on the day.”
This is a very special role, and we all enjoy our little Pilgrims community, thanking those kind people who make donations and those who purchase; everyone is helping to make a difference to those in the community who need Pilgrims’ care.
Julia Nailor, New Romney Shop Manager
While the ladies were busy processing donations and sorting into relevant categories for pressing, sizing and ready for sale, they said that their oldest volunteer colleague was Vera who is 90+ years old, and helps on a Wednesday morning. Vera joined the Pilgrims volunteer team when the shop opened in 1994, and still enjoys meeting people and supporting the charity even if it is for less hours now. They all agreed as older ladies, it’s great to dedicate some time as a volunteer, they all made great friendships, and it helps to keep them all well and active.
Although, having some strong gentlemen volunteers would really help with some of the lifting and carrying.
Julia added: ”We do our best to have a diverse selection of clothing, bric-a-brac, jewellery, and toys and lots more. Especially during the school holidays, we have visits from lots of grandparents with their grandchildren selecting children’s books, games and puzzles to keep them amused.”
Julia was a volunteer prior to being offered the role of shop manager, more than six years ago. She said: “I came in shopping with my daughter one day, and someone said ‘we could do with your help’. Before I knew it, I was shown around the shop and came back as a regular volunteer shortly after that!
“As time went on, I was offered the opportunity to take up a paid role as a member of staff. I absolutely love my job but couldn’t do it without the support of my amazing volunteers.
“I don’t have a retail background, in fact I’ve done a number of different jobs over the years including office work and working with adults with learning disabilities before having a family, and then managing a pub with my brother. However, you do need bags of energy, an eye for detail, and a keen sense of what customers are looking for when shopping with us.
“This is a very special role, and we all enjoy our little Pilgrims community, thanking those kind people who make donations and those who purchase; everyone is helping to make a difference to those in the community who need Pilgrims’ care.”
The Yard Sale takes place on Saturday 20 August, 10:00-15:00 at our New Romney shop: 39 High Street, New Romney TN28 8BW
Pilgrims Hospices cares for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
3rd August 2022
Store50 brings second-hand, chic and eco-friendly fashion to Canterbury
Store50 is Pilgrims Hospices’ newest shop, located at 50 St. Peter’s Street, Canterbury, in the heart of the city on its bustling high street.
By nature, charity shops are known for stocking preloved goods; Store50 is taking that a step further, aiming to make second-hand fashion affordable, chic and eco-friendly at the same time.
Opening on 4 August 2022, it will stock a diverse range of clothing for all, with a focus on “slow fashion” – an approach to producing clothing that advocates respect for people and the environment, often through reducing, reusing and recycling, rather than buying new items.
The shop will particularly appeal to Canterbury’s thriving student population, who will find trendy threads to suit their wardrobes and their budgets.
Store50 also features a dedicated denim section upstairs, a chill out area and vinyl record room downstairs, and a community board where people can leave messages about local news, events and business.
Mandy Hawkett, Pilgrims Retail Area Manager shared: “We’ve been really keen to get this initiative off the ground for some time now, and have been searching for a suitable shop. We are delighted to have secured Store50. The team has pulled together fresh ideas with innovative and creative planning to give the shop something extraordinary for shoppers to enjoy. It looks like high end fashion with all the qualities of sustainability and so much more. We are also offering students a 10% discount, so it really is worth paying us a visit.”
Amy Eldridge, Shop Manager, said: “We’re so excited to be launching this brand new charity shop for the quirky and diverse Canterbury community. We hope that by encouraging shoppers to thrift and be mindful about their purchases, we can help to build a more sustainable retail economy that benefits people and our planet. By shopping with us, you will help to stop items going to landfill, save precious pennies, and also contribute to Pilgrims’ vital services across east Kent – supporting our charity to provide compassionate care to patients and families where and when they need it the most.”
Emily Bartlett and Demi Hale, Supervisors, added: “It’s a re-envisioning of a charity shop, set apart from the mainstream and what people are used to. We hope it will be popular across different age groups, not just students – it’s perfect for the everyday shopper, too!”
Store50 is open 10:00-18:00 Monday-Saturday and 10:00-16:00 on Sundays.
Pilgrims Hospices cares for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
“There’s nothing I don’t enjoy about my role in Pilgrim’s retail.
“I love the people I meet every day, and the staff and volunteers create such a positive atmosphere, we make a great team.”
She told us: “I’ve enjoyed a career in hairdressing, owned a property development company and later spent time as a publican in Wiltshire.
“I returned to my hometown of Whitstable with my daughter to be closer to family who needed our support. While we settled here as part of the family support network, I decided that dedicating some time to volunteer for a local charity, would be very positive for me too.
Being a Pilgrims volunteer is an amazing experience, the atmosphere was very special, everyone gets along and really appreciates the fact that they are doing something very positive for a very special charity.
Vanessa
“I applied to volunteer at the Pilgrims shop in Whitstable, it’s such a good way to make new friends and keep in touch with what’s happening locally. As well as helping others, volunteering was great for my wellbeing too.
“I started by helping for one morning each week initially, the manager Lorraine was managing two shops in Westgate and Whitstable and needed her volunteer workforce to help with the smooth running of the shops. I really enjoyed being part of the team and definitely wanted to offer my time to charity rather than work for a local supermarket or business.”
Vanessa found great satisfaction in her role as a volunteer, helping people to find and make a purchase, match an outfit or find a gift, she quickly progressed to four and five days each week and became a supervisor at the weekends; and eventually joined the Pilgrims team as a paid manager at the general retail shop.
She added: “Being a Pilgrims volunteer is an amazing experience, the atmosphere was very special, everyone gets along and really appreciates the fact that they are doing something very positive for a very special charity.
“Even though I don’t have a background in retail, I absolutely love sharing the shopping experiences with our customers. They come back time after time, to support Pilgrims, and most love to chat in a friendly environment and really enjoy finding something special or just a little different from the high street experience. People enjoy knowing that their purchases (and donations) are truly making a difference for the people who need our help the most.”
Our volunteer workforce is absolutely invaluable, we couldn’t run our shops without them.
Mandy Hawkett, Retail Area Manager at Pilgrims Hospices
Vanessa’s daughter also volunteers at the Whitstable shop, and finds the time she spends helping customers, really boosts her confidence and helps her to achieve new skills.
Mandy Hawkett, Pilgrims Retail Area Manager said: “The family are a brilliant addition to the Pilgrims retail team in Whitstable.
“Our volunteer workforce is absolutely invaluable, we couldn’t run our shops without them. Volunteers Week takes place 1-7 June every year. It’s our chance to recognise the fantastic contribution they make. Our volunteers truly make a difference to the lives of people across east Kent who are living with incurable illness. Thank you!”
Volunteers’ Week is a chance to say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes place 1-7 June every year and is an opportunity to celebrate volunteering in all its diversity.
We’re accredited by REVAMP, a quality mark for Volunteer Involving Organisations developed by Stronger Kent Communities, a leading provider of support for the voluntary sector in Kent.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
Are you interested in sustainable clothing purchases? Do you love to search for that special pre-loved item in your local charity shop?
Do you think about how much high quality clothing goes to waste, landfill or lays unloved in someone’s wardrobe?
You will love Pilgrims Hospices pop-up kilo event on Saturday 28 May 2022 at St Peter’s Methodist Church Hall in Canterbury.
For those who’ve not had the experience of perusing the rails for vintage or retro clothing, pre-loved high street and some designer items, this is an awesome event not to be missed, the doors open at 10am. For just £5 per kilo, you can seek out a completely new style or find some items that will give your current wardrobe a new lease of life or a new twist in your styling.
Mandy Hawkett, Pilgrims Retail Area Manager said: “We’re very excited to bring our first ever Kilo Sale to shoppers in the Canterbury area. We are providing the bags, all customers need to do is pick their items and pop them in the bags for us to weigh. It’s only £5 per kilo and you can buy as much as you like on the day. We will have a huge variety of stock, so there’s definitely something for everyone.”
There won’t be changing facilities available at the venue, therefore taking a tape measure to check sizing would be something to think about on the day. Shoppers can pay by cash or card at the event and there will be a pop-up cafe for light refreshments too.
Mandy added: “Pilgrims charity shops are an important part of the community, providing local employment, productive volunteering opportunities to a range of age groups and stability to ailing high streets. The environmental benefits through the re-use and re-purposing of pre-loved items are hugely important. And… apart from all of these reasons, we all love to seek out that very special item at a very special price.”
Whether it’s a gentleman’s jacket, some new work gear, a branded t-shirt or something for a special occasion, we will do our best to help you find the perfect items to suit your needs.
St Peter’s Methodist Hall is on St Peter’s Street, Canterbury CT1 2BE, look out for the Kilo Sale banners outside, the event runs from 10am to 4pm.
All the money raised from the sale will help to run Pilgrims Hospices services in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet along with supporting people to live well in their own homes.
Please come along, it’s free to come in and you are sure to find something special for you or someone in your family.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
9th November 2021
Charity Shop Gift Cards to help local hospices and the environment too!
Pilgrims Hospices is the first charity in the country to accept a new multi-retailer gift card that can be used exclusively in charity shops.
The Charity Shop Gift Card is backed by the Charity Retail Association (CRA), and will be sold and accepted in Pilgrims Hospices’ 30 shops, helping to raise valuable funds for end of life care for thousands of people in east Kent.
Tim Stewart, Pilgrims Hospices Retail and Business Development Manager, said: “Pilgrims are delighted to join the scheme right at the very beginning. We truly believe that the Charity Shop Gift Card will help generate much needed funds for the hospices and help introduce new people to charity shopping.”
As well as boosting charity funds, money spent by cardholders will have a positive effect on the environment by supporting the growing second-hand revolution, which is being led by the environmentally aware Gen Z and Millennials, and is reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Charity shops divert around 339,000 tonnes of textiles away from landfill or incineration every year, saving councils millions in annual waste disposal charges.
The gift cards themselves are recyclable and compostable.
The Charity Shop Gift Card has been developed by Gift Card CIC, a social enterprise, and gives regional and national charities that are members of the CRA their first opportunity to tap into the many billions of pounds gift card market.
More charities across the country will join the scheme in the coming weeks and months.
Local authorities and other support agencies can also choose to partner with the scheme and use pre-loaded gift cards to distribute the financial assistance they provide to individuals and families, which will then be spent in participating charity shops.
The Charity Shop Gift Card is a member of Social Enterprise UK, and the Gift Card and Voucher Association.
If you’re interested in becoming a member of Pilgrims’ retail volunteer workforce, find out more at:
People are inspired and motivated to support us for lots of reasons. Many of our volunteers have personal experience of the palliative care and support we offer to patients and their families; some have a special interest or skill that makes a valuable contribution to Pilgrims. Volunteering can also help you to gain new skills in an area you’ve always wanted to develop.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
30th June 2021
Local business supports Pilgrims Hospices with ‘25 acts of giving’
To celebrate its 25 year anniversary, Ramsgate-based company Business Computer Solutions Ltd. (BCS) is encouraging staff to volunteer for local causes in a ‘25 acts of giving’ initiative. Helen Bradley, Sales Administrator, from Broadstairs and Khan Tomlinson, Systems Administrator, from Ramsgate chose to volunteer for Pilgrims Hospices. They each wanted to give back to the hospice charity that serves their local community.
Helen’s hand-crafted decorative bottles
On 24 June 2021, Helen and Khan gave up their time to volunteer at Pilgrims’ Broadstairs shop. In addition, they donated several items to sell in the shop including jigsaws, photo frames, a desk tidy, books, an armchair rest organiser and a room diffuser. Helen also contributed decorative bottles that she made using new, empty wine bottles with lights inside.
Helen said: “I love a good charity shop, and this one is my favourite in Broadstairs; the staff and volunteers are so friendly. I wanted to get involved and interact with the local public.”
Khan added: “It’s been really fun meeting customers and so interesting to see exactly what goes into managing a charity shop. The volunteers work so hard, and I was surprised how much stock gets donated and processed behind the scenes.”
Mandy Hawkett, Retail Area Manager at Pilgrims, said: “I’d like to thank Helen and Khan for supporting Pilgrims as their chosen charity. I am really proud of Pilgrims’ retail stores and our dedicated shop teams, so I was delighted when Helen approached us regarding the ‘25 acts of giving’ project and her wish to spend the day in our lovely Broadstairs store. The team take pride in their store, creating a fabulous atmosphere to shop and volunteer in.
“It was such a lovely day. Khan worked on the till delivering excellent customer service, and Helen put out new items of stock, ensuring the displays were looking their best throughout the day; both were supported by the experts, our wonderful volunteers.”
Tim Stewart, Retail Business Development Manager at Pilgrims, added: “It’s so important to us that local businesses like BCS support us in what we do. It’s great that their staff came to our Broadstairs shop to see first-hand just how hard our staff and volunteers work to get the most out of the donations we receive. There is a perception that charity shops are simple and straightforward to operate, but I’m sure Helen and Khan can now confirm that there is so much work that goes into getting donated stock ready for sale!
“BCS staff donated so much lovely stock to us on the day, and they were able to Gift Aid it which made the donations 25% more valuable. We’re really pleased that Helen and Khan chose us as their preferred charity, and even better that they took the time out of their busy schedules to come into the shop and help run it for the day; I’m sure they went home exhausted but feeling very fulfilled.”
Other BCS employees are volunteering across Thanet in several capacities, getting involved with beach cleaning, community gardening projects and girl guiding.
Martin Hynes, Managing Director at BCS, said: “At BCS we have always felt businesses should play a role in helping their local communities. We have embraced this philosophy over the last 25 years, which has seen us support various local charities and good causes, including with our most recent ‘25 acts of giving’ where the entire BCS team participated in helping local causes, to celebrate our 25 years in business. We would like to thank Pilgrims for helping make this possible; our team have gained a great deal out of the experience, and we hope to have inspired other local businesses and residents to do the same.”
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
