Considering the Charity Retail Association’s groundbreaking report published this month, here we take a closer look at the findings and shine a light on the much-loved Isabel Hospice Cuffley branch.
‘The Value of Giving Back – The Social Return of Charity Shops’ report is the first of its kind to be created for the charity retail sector to investigate the value charity shops have to society beyond the money they raise for their parent charities each year.
In 2022, a total of £75.3 billion of social value was generated by UK charity shops, meaning that for every pound spent in charity retail, £7.35 of social value was generated.
The report found that as well as being affordable and sustainable places to shop, charity shops also play an important role in improving people’s lives and wellbeing, generating social value in many different ways. Giving back to others, doing something good for the planet, feeling part of a community and opportunities to socialise were among the top responses people gave when asked what charity shops mean to them.
Isabel Hospice currently has 16 shops across eastern Hertfordshire, and an eBay online shop. The Cuffley shop opened in August 2009 and has been managed by Teresa Palmer for the past 12 years.
Teresa comments on her experience in charity retail to date:
“I have so enjoyed managing the Cuffley shop. This new report’s findings really don’t surprise me as our shop is at the heart of the Cuffley and Goff’s Oak community. We have built up a supportive and loyal customer base and are fortunate enough to receive some excellent, high quality and sometimes designer donations for which we are known for in the area.
My team and I have personally felt the social value of working in a charity shop that this report refers to. We socialise on a regular basis and are very supportive of one another, it can make a huge difference emotionally and practically. We share our knowledge and experience and collectively feel stronger as a team.”
Recent customer feedback of the Cuffley shop includes – ‘Feels like a boutique’, ‘Always friendly and welcoming’, ‘Excellent window displays’ and ‘The banter is great fun’.
Our Cuffley shop stocks an exciting blend of contemporary, vintage, and one-off fashion. We have a great range of clothing for men, women and children including a small selection of high-end designer brands. We stock both pre-loved and new, so it’s well worth a visit!
Open Tuesday – Saturday, 9am-5pm, the Cuffley shop can be found at 3 Station Road, Cuffley, EN6 4HU. Please do pop in and check it out for yourself and feel that positive impact on your wellbeing!
