#SalvagedWithLove: Erin’s mission to change the world and support hospice care
Erin Hayhow from Whitstable is a fashion designer on a mission to change the world. Using only waste materials, which she dyes and paints with her own designs, she is on her way to building a sustainable future for the fashion industry. Her slogan is #SalvagedWithLove.
Erin’s mum, Sarah, was cared for at the Canterbury hospice in 2014. To give back for the support her family received, she plans to donate to Pilgrims Hospices as her brand grows and hopes to run up-cycling workshops with Pilgrims shops in the near future.
Sarah and Erin
After graduating with a first class BA in Fine Art from Solent University, Erin moved to Berlin to pursue a career as an artist but returned home when her mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
She said: “I was her carer for two years; during that time, creativity was so important to me because it was a way of understanding what was happening.
“My mum was the most fashionable person I know; my love for fashion came from her, she always dressed me in the coolest clothes. Putting my legs through plastic carrier-bags from our weekly shopping trips, pulling up the handles like straps, I’d made my first pair of dungarees. I wasn’t allowed to wear high heels, but I improvised by painting papier-mache tissue boxes and toilet roll tubes. I put them on with my new dungarees and strutted down my garden like a catwalk.
“During her illness, Mum would wear amazing garments every day and it would give her the ability to conquer the world. It became her armour, and it’s the same to me.”
Erin doing her Firewalk
Sarah was initially given a three-month prognosis but lived with cancer for 18 months. She didn’t feel she needed hospice support until the end of her life. Erin continued: “Mum’s mindset changed once Pilgrims was involved. I remember the hospice so strongly, there was a big community of people ready to support us. They were incredible with her. This was my first experience of hospice care and I want to raise awareness so that others know they can access it, too.”
Erin went on to complete a Fashion Design MA at UCA Rochester, achieving a distinction. She finished her five-piece collection Flowers Grow in Dustbins, made from 100% recycled materials, in 2019; these garments are available to purchase on her website. She also sells a range of more affordable pieces via Instagram @eirinnhayhow. To give back for the support her family received, Erin will donate 5% of the money made from sales to Pilgrims. Erin also took part in the charity’s sponsored Firewalk event in Canterbury on 13 March 2020.
I remember the hospice so strongly, there was a big community of people ready to support us. They were incredible with her. This was my first experience of hospice care and I want to raise awareness so that others know they can access it, too.
Erin
Erin plans to continue donating to Pilgrims as her brand grows and hopes to run up-cycling workshops with its shops in the near future, in exchange for materials that they can’t sell. Tim Stewart, Retail Business Development Manager at Pilgrims, said: “I met Erin in 2019 and she told me her story, explaining she’d been buying bits from our shops and using them as a basis for her new pieces. It was obvious to me that she was talented, and that she wanted to give something back to Pilgrims. So I offered her some materials that we hadn’t been able to sell, along with a couple of rails, and a mannequin to help her starting up. She was very grateful for the support and has offered to run design and screen-printing classes at one of our shops. We look forward to working with Erin in the future.”
Erin added: “After my mum passed away, I moved back to Berlin and began screen-printing on t-shirts and garments DIY-style. As my sewing skills improved, I used fabrics and materials that were either found on the street or donated to charity shops – from there I started to form my own collections. In 2017, I sold my first collection at Studio183 in Bikini Berlin. That summer, I moved back to Whitstable and opened a pop-up store in an old shipping container in a furniture yard in Margate. I became part of a waste-free fashion collective made up of four members; we all make garments from waste materials. We’ve had three shows at the Turner Contemporary and one at Soho House Berlin.
“The fashion industry is the world’s second biggest contributor to global warming, with 350,000 tonnes (that’s around £140 million worth) of used but still wearable clothing going to landfill in the UK every year. My brand says no to fast fashion. It is my intention to help solve our global waste crisis by creating imaginative solutions for unwanted materials.
“We need to find sustainable solutions to our waste problems. We need to re-think the fast fashion system. Fashion should be positive, it should be inclusive, it should be empowering. As designers of the future, it is our duty to be sustainable.”
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,400 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.
11th August 2020
Shop with Pilgrims and support local hospice care at the same time
Good news for those of you itching to revisit your friendly local Pilgrims Hospices charity shop in Faversham. The much loved shop opened its doors to the public for the first time since lockdown on Saturday 31 July.
The shop will initially trade with reduced hours, however the charity is delighted to announce that during the first three days of trading, the income generated for hospice care reached an amazing £1700, an excellent result.
I’m very pleased to be back supporting Pilgrims and it’s great to be around fellow volunteers.
Janet Stickles, Pilgrims Volunteer
Mandy Hawkett, Pilgrims Retail Area Manager told us: “We are so pleased to be open again in Faversham, our customers told us how much they’ve missed their visits.
“The support from the team of volunteers was absolutely first class as always and it was heart-warming to see customers waiting for the shop to open its doors and receiving a truly friendly welcome from my team.
Shop Manager Robert Adams with volunteers Janet Stickles, Babs Seville Antoinette Hayward and Area Retail Manager Mandy Hawkett.
“As you might expect, a number of changes and extra measures have been put in place to protect shoppers and volunteers. We’ve received lots of positive feedback on the new layout and roomy shopping area.”
Janet Stickles, shop volunteer added: “I’m very pleased to be back supporting Pilgrims and it’s great to be around fellow volunteers; there’s great comradery and respect amongst our team here in the Faversham shop. I have been a Pilgrims supporter and shop volunteer for many years.
“I thoroughly enjoy helping customer’s to seek out a particular item from our stock. It’s great to see the smiles on faces when we are able to find just what they have been looking for!
“We know the hospices need us but we need the hospices too. It’s a wonderful way to keep in touch with customers and friends within the community. I’ve met new people, made many friends, and know my support is really making a difference to those who need Pilgrims care.”
The Faversham Shop on West Street will be open Thursday to Saturday 10:00am to 4:00 pm until further notice.
We are so pleased to be open again in Faversham, our customers told us how much they’ve missed their visits.
Mandy Hawkett – Pilgrims Retail Area Manager
The charity is reopening shops throughout east Kent in phases and when it safe to do so; you can find a list of those already trading here – shop with us.
In line with government guidelines, donations are sanitised before going on sale; anything donated will be held for a minimum of 72 hours before it’s processed for sale.
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.
19th February 2020
Fabulous Folkestone furniture shop opens to the public
Pilgrims Hospices has added an exciting new shop to its existing 31 stores across east Kent. The Folkestone Furniture shop opened on Friday 14 February, showcasing a huge range of new and pre-loved items including small pieces of occasional furniture, right up to and including full bedroom suites and, pretty much anything in between, as well as a full range of homewares including lighting, soft furnishings, curtains, ornaments and kitchen equipment.
The newly refurbished shop at 21, Guildhall Street, Folkestone is now a modern and bright space and, a welcome addition to the local community. It had previously been an empty unit for the past eight years, it’s now filled with something to suit all budgets and styles.
We are really excited about our new shop, and we’re pleased to have been welcomed by the local traders. We want the shop to become a key part of the local community.
Tim Stewart, Pilgrims Hospices
Tim Stewart, Pilgrims Retail Business Development Manager said: “We have a brilliant team who have been working amazingly hard to keep this project on schedule and open to the public on time.
“The shop is a wonderful space to showcase our diverse stock range, which includes some beautiful brand new lamps, cookware and so much more along with amazing retro and classic furniture.
“We are really excited about our new shop, and we’re pleased to have been welcomed by the local traders. We want the shop to become a key part of the local community. This is our largest furniture store and, we are confident that we’re offering something for everyone.”
The furniture shop joins the popular Pilgrims shop located in the main shopping precinct on Sandgate Road. The ground floor offers a wide range of goods including vintage clothing, accessories, trinkets, glass, crockery, books and vinyl records to name just a few of the treasures. The first-floor stocks a large selection of clothing, accessories and linens priced at £1, £2 and £3.
Folkestone shop manager Sarah Potts with volunteers Meg Alderson and Dotty Simms
Folkestone shop volunteer Andrea Samson
Folkestone shop volunteer Elizabeth Wyatt
The seaside town of Folkestone is most definitely worth a visit and Pilgrims shops will be topped up with eye-catching items to tempt you, whether an impulse buy or a more considered purchase. The friendly Pilgrims teams will be happy to help you.
The shops are run by a manager and supported by a small team of volunteers, but more volunteers are always very welcome.
If you would like to volunteer in one of the Folkestone shops or find out more about other volunteering opportunities with Pilgrims, click here.
Pilgrims shops generate many thousands of pounds of income for the charity that provides end-of-life care for the people of east Kent. More that 2,400 people are cared for each year, either in their own homes, within the hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet or as part of Pilgrims Wellbeing Programme.The people who generously donate or purchase in our stores are truly making a difference for those who need Pilgrims help the most.
As the festive season approaches, Santa Claus’s time is precious. When Pilgrims Hospices made a request for Santa to welcome everyone to their Pre-Loved Christmas Fair, he politely declined and suggested some fine alternatives.
Dave Hall and Trudy Dotchin from Herne Bay will be standing in for the real Santa as Mr & Mrs Claus at Pilgrims Hospices Pre-Loved Christmas Fair on Saturday 23 November, being held at Westgate Hall, Canterbury.
Trudy with some of the fabulous volunteer team from Pilgrims Hospices Herne Bay shop
Dave and Trudy have both retired from roles as teaching assistants in London and live in Herne Bay. Trudy is a regular volunteer at Pilgrims Herne Bay shop and her partner Dave, has been a Santa at school fairs and local events for more than 10 years.
They both have busy lives but love volunteering and being an active part of the local community. Trudy said; “I’ve been a Pilgrims volunteer for around 8 months, I really enjoy being part of the team. I often visited the shop to browse for a bargain, but now the grandchildren are at school, I have more time to offer my help.
I wasn’t bargaining on being nominated to be Mrs. Claus!
Trudy, Pilgrims Hospices Volunteer
“The hospices are such an important and worthwhile part of our community, I’ve had friends who’ve needed their care in the past and I’m very pleased to be able to offer my time to help in the shop now.
“When Charlotte Brown, Pilgrims Area Manager asked if anyone might like to be Santa for the Pre-Loved Christmas Fair, I suggested Dave straight away, however… I wasn’t bargaining on being nominated to be Mrs. Claus! “
Charlotte said: “I’m delighted that Dave and Trudy are helping on the day: the retail Christmas Fair was a brilliant success last year and raised over £3,000 for local hospice care.
“We are busy gathering all things Christmassy for our event and we hope to have even more to offer our customers this year.”
Come along between 10am – 3pm for gifts, trinkets, new toys and games, fancy-dress clothing, festive glamour, brand new with tags, jewellery, and more.
Get into the Christmas spirit and join the Pilgrims retail team on Saturday 23November 10am – 3pm, Westgate Hall, Canterbury CT1 2BT. Email [email protected] for more information.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent 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. Every penny raised at the festive fair will be making a difference to people who need Pilgrims care the most.
13th September 2019
An art book lover’s dream
One of the best-known prizes for visual arts in the world, the Turner Prize 2019 is taking place at the Turner Contemporary Gallery in Margate. Every other year, the prize leaves Tate Britain and is presented at a venue outside London. The exhibition will be running from September 2019 to January 2020.
The Old Bank Bookshop in Margate is an art book lover’s dream. With shelves packed with all genres, fiction, non-fiction, classics, vintage and much more, all at amazing prices. With more than 3,000 books in stock at any time, there’s bound to be something to suit your taste.
To coincide with the Turner Prize, The Old Bank Bookshop will be embracing this prestigious event being held in Margate by creating its own arts festival of paintings, prints and, books; an eclectic collection of modern, post-modern and traditional themes for a wide variety of subjects.
We have the most amazing selection of beautiful art books to suit all tastes.
Gavin, Pilgrims Retail
Gavin Fox, The Old Bank Bookshop manager told us: “This is an ambitious arts project; which we hope will create lots of interest from visitors to the Turner Prize exhibition who would also enjoy viewing some of our beautiful arts editions and in some cases some quite risqué titles. In fact, some of the publications could leave you speechless.”
All of the books have been generously donated and checked to ensure the shop sells the very best of quality on the shelves.
“We have the most amazing selection of beautiful art books to suit all tastes. Everything from American painter Jackson Pollock; a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement, to Gustav Klimt, one of the most influential figures in the Viennese secession movement.” Gavin told us.
Gavin with some of The Old Bank Bookshop team
Gavin began his career with Pilgrims as a volunteer back in 2010; he’s now a full-time member of Pilgrims Hospices staff managing The Old Bank Bookshop, Margate and Burgate Books, Canterbury.
Gavin said: “The Turner Prize for visual arts will bring many hundreds of visitors to enjoy Margate with its quirky shopping, interesting restaurants, bars and of course the Turner Contemporary gallery.
“We’re already meeting new art-loving customers who are visiting the Turner Contemporary and enjoying our amazing selection of specialist art.
“Pilgrims art festival will run throughout the year and will hopefully be able to offer visitors some interesting and varied art covers.
“We are a specialist second-hand book store and review our stock closely to ensure shoppers can purchase the best quality pre-loved books.”
Gavin with some of the art books on sale
Gavin manages his team of volunteers at The Old Book Shop Margate and Burgate Books, Canterbury; all of them are truly committed bookworms who love books and love to be part of the volunteer team supporting Pilgrims.
“All of the books are donated to the charity and sometimes from the most surprising sources, all books are individually priced from a few pounds upwards along with prints and paintings from £10. We hope you visit and enjoy our spectacular arts festival selections.” Gavin added.
Visit The Old Bank Bookshop at 17 The Parade, Margate CT9 1EY.
The store will close at 4:00 pm throughout the week and weekends when the clocks go back GMT.
You will receive a warm welcome at The Old Bank Bookshop from Gavin, his customer-friendly and very popular dog Ollie and the team of very knowledgeable volunteer bookworms.
This year alone, Pilgrims Hospices has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run our full range of services. Money raised through events like these helps us to continue caring for local people at the end of their lives.
31st July 2019
Pilgrims new shop to join the regeneration of Margate High Street
98 – 102 High Street Margate is set to become the latest addition to Pilgrims Hospices portfolio of shops. Opening soon, the shop is currently undergoing refurbishment before it takes on a new, modern, fashionable look. The store, which anticipates opening in August, will be brimming with furniture, bric a brac and clothing.
Amongst the many reasons for supporting your local high street; doing a little retail therapy in your local hospice charity shop will be helping people who need important care in the local area.
Work in progress at the Margate High Street shop
Mandy Hawkett, Pilgrims Retail Area Manager, explained: “The new store will offer a wide variety of pre-loved goods right in the very heart of the High Street, in Margate. The clothing price points will be £5 or less, therefore there are plenty of good reasons to pop along and snap up a trendy bargain.”
Charlee Piper, Pilgrims Shop Manager, said: “The Margate High Street and surrounding area is experiencing a rebirth of sorts, with many of the empty shops being used as art spaces or for new local businesses. We’re excited to be part of that revitalisation.
We will offer a wide variety of pre-loved items, right in the heart of the High Street.
Mandy Hawkett – Pilgrims Retail
“In recent years there has been an influx of young people in their 20’s and 30’s from as far as London. People are keen to up-cycle goods and have such creative ideas to breathe new life into pre-loved goods while maintaining a low carbon footprint and supporting all things local.
“My team are looking forward to a grand opening. We will also be recruiting additional volunteers for the new venture, so keep an eye on the shop window and the Pilgrims website if you would like to become part of our team.”
Opening hours will be:
9 am – 5 pm Monday to Saturday
10 am – 4 pm on Sunday
Find a full list of Pilgrims shops in your area here or take a peek on Instagram.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,400 people in east Kent 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.
