Amelia Cartwright: Hello, just before we dive into today's episode, I just wanted to give a heads up that we will be discussing some sensitive topics today, including death and dying. We do believe these conversations are really important and valuable, but we completely understand that they might be difficult for some listeners.

Guest: Welcome back to the Charity Shop Chat podcast with myself, Charlotte Greenwood. me, Mimi Cartwright. As always, this podcast is powered by the Charity Retail Consultancy, helping charities their retail income, and make the biggest possible impact for the causes they serve.

Amelia Cartwright: Additionally, I wanted to mention that this is one of the first podcasts me and Charlotte ever recorded. We are a small but mighty team of two, which means as well as all the chatting, we do the production, editing and recording. you Thank you. With all this being said, this means that audio quality might not be as polished as our later episodes, but we felt it so crucial to include this discussion because it's such an essential and inspiring conversation with two incredible women.

Guest: So today's episode is a special one we're shining a light on hospice retail ⁓ and specifically on the incredible work of Raphael's Hospice in Merton and Sutton. ⁓ Hospice shops have a unique place on high streets. They're not just shops, they're community anchors, ⁓ grief-friendly spaces, sustainability champions ⁓ and fundraising all rolled into one. who... better to talk to about hospice shops than the people who live and breathe it every day. joined by two brilliant shop managers from St. Raphael's Hospice, Nicola and Roxanne, who ⁓ creativity and lots to everything they do. So grab a of tea, settle in and be ready to hear what hospice shops really mean to the communities they serve.

Amelia Cartwright: So if it does sound like we're recording underwater at times, that's the reason. Thank you so much for understanding and enjoy today's episode of the Charity Shop Chat.

Guest: Shall we start by ⁓ introducing yourselves, telling us little bit about which you manage and how you've become part of the St Raphael's hospice family.

Amelia Cartwright: So hi, my name's Nicola. ⁓ I've been with St. Raphael's for about six years now. And ⁓ I manage ⁓ Wimbledon Village store, ⁓ also manage, ⁓ oversee ⁓ five shops across our ⁓ shops. yeah, I'm loving it. I'm Roxanne, I'm the St. Raphael's Donation Center Manager and we are where everything comes through and we give to all the other 11 shops.

Guest: And we are here every day and begin talking about your Amazing. And that accent is incredible. I could listen to you talk each day, every day. Where is it from? Because it does sound like the Matthew McConaughey kind of... Brilliant. Okay. So kind of how did you each find your way into charity retail and eventually at St. Raphael's then?

Amelia Cartwright: Thank you very much. ⁓ Alabama. So for me, ⁓ I actually volunteered in a different charity on my day off of my previous job. My mum happened to work there, so I used to go and give her a hand. And then actual job at the time was working a private care company. I was doing palliative care. ⁓ And just loved other part of the retail side ⁓ as well. it was a little bit of a dream. And then ⁓ one day saw a... a drug description come up for St. Raphael's and I was like, I'm going to go, I'm going to do this. it meant the world to me, the purpose and, what St. is all about. ⁓ So ⁓ I also a in the hospice too. So ⁓ for me it was, I was going to be doing this anywhere, it would be for them. ⁓ And, and it's kind gone from there and yeah, I've been ⁓ started just before COVID and I've been there ever since. And absolutely, you know, it's just been absolutely amazing. Absolutely amazing. me, after being made redundant, I was looking for work ⁓ I interviewed with many companies, but I wanted to work with a company that had real purpose. ⁓ soon as I interviewed with the lovely Sarah Jane and Caroline, I felt right at home and I knew this was where I needed to be.

Guest: ⁓ that's lovely. I absolutely love hearing how people get into the space ⁓ because there's no real path and everyone comes at it a different way. ⁓ With your prior experience volunteering and any other retail ⁓ experience either of you have had in the past, what do you think? ⁓ makes hospice charity retail different from other charity roles that you've had or your day-to-day in the places that you work.

Amelia Cartwright: So for me, I think because I've been touched by the hospice myself and my family, it automatically means more to me than anything else. ⁓ The fact that hospices are a local charity to the areas that they're in, I think almost not thought about by a lot of people. So ⁓ for it's really important that... more people get to know about their local hospice and look up where is your local hospice? For me, I just realized the NHS doesn't have the resources staff or beds to give the special attention to those who need it in their last days and we provide not just the medical assistance but the emotional assistance dignity and friendship our Shops actually are the the funding for those things it touches every family and every family member. That's why we do

Guest: hospice care is really personal to me as well. Obviously, I ⁓ for a hospice for a few years ⁓ you just don't realise the care and compassion that goes into it. You know, I'm working in the head office, I'm ⁓ my ⁓ spreadsheets, yada, yada, yada, and I'm getting annoyed because my Excel's crashing or I've got divs in my formulas and all that jazz. ⁓ then you kind of hear the hospice at home team there on the phones talking to people about DNRs ⁓ talking people through calling an ambulance or, you know, making sure that their patients are okay. And you suddenly realize, do you know what, I can cope with annoying Excel spreadsheets. ⁓ because it all back into that cause. ⁓ And it's not until you have the of a hospice personally that you realize how important it is, because the difference between ⁓ dying in a hospital where it's so clinical, it's not private, it's... ⁓ you know, they're almost, I mean, I love the NHS, they do a great job given the lack of funding that they've got, but it's not the same. When you go into a hospice and you see the one-on-one care, the lengths that they go into in terms of they'll let you bring your pet in to say goodbye to them, or, you know, I've heard stories about getting a horse into the courtyard of a hospice because they've had someone who's absolutely loved their horses and wasn't able to say goodbye before they entered the hospice. it's incredible and not just for the patients themselves as well, it's for the loved ones. Seeing your loved one pass away in an environment where there's care and there's dignity means all the difference in how you grieve and how you remember them in their last days. hospice shops really do have a special place in my heart because of that. So you guys do an incredible job. And it shows with the staff as well because you go... over and above for your customers because you know every single penny in the till counts. know I've known shop staff to take stock home to wash it themselves, to mend things themselves and put together all sorts of Lego products and Barbie dream houses just to get that extra penny in the till and it is incredible the work you guys do. So first of all thank you to you guys and thank you to all shop staff who work for hospices and all clinical teams that work for hospices as well you do. an amazing job and it's often quite thankless. that is my own personal thank you. Do you have any moments that you can share with us where the connection between the hospice and the shop really touched you?

Amelia Cartwright: Yeah, absolutely. Probably quite a few. I'll pick one. ⁓ We got a phone call from the hospice to say that they wanted to arrange a wedding ⁓ for a lovely couple. ⁓ And one of them was in the hospice. And getting the team together, getting the items, making everything as special as we possibly could. You know, that really... brings the retail involved and it meant the world to us to be part of that and to be able to make it the best experience for that family. ⁓ From the wedding dresses to the flowers to any accessories, the hunting around and trying to find those items amongst all of our shops and working so closely as a team to get that done. was rewarding for us but it the world to us for that family to have the... you know, everything they could possibly have for that moment to be everything they wanted. ⁓ Yes, it's awfully sad, but brings us into the same situation. I mean, for us, ⁓ teams, ⁓ you were saying, Charlotte, you know, ⁓ put everything into making our shops look ⁓ be special. ⁓ customers that come through the door, We've many, many people come in and ask. ⁓ They want to donate, they've lost a relative at our hospice and they want to give as much as they can to us and it's so important the way that those people are looked after and treated. And some people don't tell us, so it's important that everybody gets that same treatment when they come through the door. almost another part of the care that the hospice give. ⁓ We're in the same line. They come to us at the end with items and donations and it's important that we treat them just the same way as the hospice staff do. So that's really important to us in the shops. Yes, I think that is what makes us unique is that almost everyone that comes through the door has a story ⁓ I actually had at the DC, lady that came in, rather young lady, and her husband had passed at our ⁓ hospice days before. ⁓ She in her comic books from him ⁓ and was in a flood of tears. We had to listen. It's not just about taking the things and saying thank you and going. ⁓ She gave us stories about how ⁓ good the staff were and how easy it made the hardest time in her life. ⁓ We have to listen. It's not just about normal retail. We have to listen to the people that come in and realize that we may be the first person they've been able to leave the house and speak to since this happened. We might be that first person that actually helps them realize they can smile. So we do have to be very, very sensitive to everyone. But everyone that's ever come in has had nothing good to say, but it's just constant how well the staff treated them, how they appreciate the service that we give, and we just want to serve them as much as possible.

Guest: That is amazing to both gives me so much emotion and chills and it's just so admirable and fantastic what you both and the hospice does. ⁓ And yeah, just to touch on that point of about not being normal retail, ⁓ and like we're kind of going a journey ourselves. ⁓ talking to people within the sector about human connection and the importance of just being open and feeling all the feelings and whilst we have ⁓ as you're talking about lack of ⁓ space in hospitals as well as loads of other community spaces that are being stripped away, ⁓ charity shops in general but also especially hospice ⁓ spaces ⁓ are become those spaces for people they like a bit of a refuge ⁓ that goes beyond ⁓ yeah like ⁓ the space itself or a classic space that ⁓ we should have so ⁓ we aren't just ⁓ there to fundraise are there to be all retail managers, assistants, volunteers ⁓

Amelia Cartwright: I mean, there's even a situation that most of our volunteers have all been connected via the hospice. And if they haven't personally been touched by the hospice, their best friend has or their relative has. so therefore, it brings more people in. So we've got more often than not in our shops, our volunteers.

Guest: are there to be that point of connection with someone who really needs it.

Amelia Cartwright: all connect, they've all found a new lifeline, for they've lost loved ones and they've come to work with us and become this wonderful family. And most of our volunteers will go other shops, they will come to our events that we have, our clearance events and stuff, and they will all be together. And I'm super proud of all of our team. Without our volunteers, we couldn't do half the things that we do.

Guest: And if anyone who's listening has never worked for a hospice or a hospice charity shop before, I can understand why you might think it might be a little bit depressing. You know, it's dying and death and all of those things that you're like, ⁓ God, is that really for me? Honestly, it might seem like that, but it really isn't. It is the most rewarding thing that you can do to know that you've played a part in providing comfort to those who are either grieving or who are coming to the end of their lives. I would 100 % recommend it. been another rewarding job like it that I have ever done in my career. And I played such a tiny cog in that wheel. But I'm still really proud of that, being able to contribute to that. So yeah, if you are looking for a new job, your boss will hate me. But absolutely, look at hospices and hospice charity shops, because they are the most kind of compassionate and passionate people that you will ever meet.

Amelia Cartwright: Charlotte, I will second that. Absolutely, I completely agree. think, you know, if you, even if you just wanted to volunteer somewhere and give a little bit of time, ⁓ my gosh, you really should do it. You know, we have really good fun as well as knowing the rewarding side of things because, you know, everyone gets together. Everyone wants even harder when they know what they're doing it for. ⁓ And it's natural. No one's forced to work harder. It's just happened. You you just want to give everything you can. And when you see it, see what happens in that hospice and you know the absolute amazing care. You just want to give everything you can to your hospice. Sorry. I second that.

Guest: we're now ⁓ going to into the more difficult parts of the conversations ⁓ surrounding charity retail and with it charity retail within Hospice. what would you say are the biggest challenges facing ⁓ Hospice ⁓ retail or shops? right now? Is there anything that you've picked up on?

Amelia Cartwright: Well, being the donation center, obviously we're the center of where most people are going to bring their large donations. The only problem we have, I say, we absolutely, ⁓ we value our customers in every donation that we get. We do sometimes have a problem with fly tipping. ⁓ Just to have people kind of think, well, ⁓ you may have to actually pay to have this removed so we don't want to be taking from the charity. So if people can think, well we want to make sure we get it through the door to us instead of leaving it outside. We're more than happy to take it through the door when we're open. Just so that we can just remember that everything that comes through we want to make sure it makes money instead of having to remove any excess from the outside. Can I just say that more often than not when it's a fly tip, I think people just don't appreciate that you have all this stuff outside in bags. Well, they leave it in bags and boxes. However, when we find it, it's scattered across the pavements and into the roads. You know, so it's just important that people understand that, you know, I know you're desperate to get rid of your items and clear your house and donate to us. we are so, so welcoming of your donations, but you just need to know it needs to come inside our door. If it's outside, it becomes unsellable to us for the simple fact that it is spread everywhere. ⁓ on the pavements, in the roads. We're unable to accept those donations in the door after that and unfortunately then it costs the charity itself a hell of a lot of money per year just to clear this. So we do say you can't fly tip that's the reasons, you know, please don't do that. I know in my time, you know, I've had waste up kind of ⁓ £40,000, ⁓ which is outrageous when you think what that money could pay for at a hospice. ⁓ And it is about being considerate. ⁓ And, you know, ⁓ People are doing it not because they're trying to be inconsiderate. They think, ⁓ no, it's all right. The shop's closed. I can just leave it outside and they'll come and take it in the next day. ⁓ there's a health and safety standard that charity shops have to have. they could really good donations that have just been wasted that you then have to pay to be taken away. ⁓ And I think I've heard a lot of charities recently saying that fly-tipping has increased because of the changes in household waste collections and things like that. So more and more people are doing it ⁓ and local dumps and stuff are making it harder to go and take the waste to their dumps as well with van permits and things like that. So it is a massive, massive challenge for the charity. We also have the other side of things some people donate items ⁓ that just deemed completely unsellable. ⁓ And it is more like can't get an appointment at the dump today, so let's just go down the road and dump it there. ⁓ So I think people need to be very of what they're giving. Yes, many things can find a new home and we're all into the sustainability, but there are also the items that really should never even be given to a charity in the first place. ⁓ And then let's not forget the actual hospice itself, ⁓ vital funding, that's also a real issue for us at the moment. And I know that we've been on the local news as well. regarding that, you know, that's huge for us. That's the biggest, the biggest issue that we will ever come across on the hospice side. But for retail, it's more just a day to day fly tipping, you know, the issue with certain donations. You know, I think people think that 99 % of their donations are sellable and actually we probably find that that's not quite the case. So being a bit more mindful about your items that you're donating. And obviously we welcome them with open arms. We need them. We need them to keep our shops open, to raise the vital funds that we don't get from elsewhere. So yeah, more just being considerate and mindful about what comes through our door or left outside. That's brilliant and that is a great answer because yeah, we haven't touched on that yet in the podcast, have we? And those day to day difficulties become so significant when they are day to day. And yeah, they really can impact a way that a shop runs or a whole charity runs. So very important to talk to you on. ⁓ And on the flip side to that question, what are there opportunities that excite you the most about charity retail and the jobs that you two have? I would say that ⁓ it's the most interesting job you can possibly have because along with the donations, I would say there are so many, you open up a box and it's a treasure trove where people have so generously given us things that of high value of things because they value our hospice and they want us to make a lot of money. So they will give us some of the most beautiful things which tends to go to our Wimbledon shop, very, very nice shop there. ⁓ You have to come there. If you want Gucci and Louboutins, go to Wimbledon Village. If you want nice bric-a-brac and toys and some furniture, come over to us at the Donation Center. ⁓ But yeah, we have some of the most ⁓ beautiful furniture that's almost brand new that people are like, well, we just want you to have it. it's very much they give to us as a charity because we are St. Raphael's. We're local. We take care of our local people. and we care about the local families. So it's very much instead of being a nationwide thing, they can see, they can come into our shops, see exactly where their donations have come from. They do come back and actually, wow, you sold that for us. I said, yes, we did. And I'll tell them sometimes, we got this much and that will pay a couple of days for a nurse, for someone or whatever. And if you just connect those things together, they appreciate what they've done for you and we certainly appreciate them. think for me also, it's the team. It's the ⁓ coming up with new ideas to bring customers in the shops and new events in the shops. We've recently done some events in our shops for the Christmas, Christmas fairs. ⁓ We do the clearance sale event every month. Any events we do, they're quite exciting. They're fun to have. It really brings in the community. ⁓ We get so many people come. It's just really important for all of us to be involved with the community as much as possible. That's why we're there, you know, we're there to talk to everybody, to make sure everyone's aware of what we're all about. So, answer your question on the flip side, I think it's teamwork, it's a big family that we've got right here, ⁓ all way up to the directors. We are absolutely a one big team and... ⁓ We all give everything and work above and beyond to be able to do what we do. And yeah, it's just to make work fun. ⁓ have stories that people would believe and you know, it's just, ⁓ every day is different ⁓ and so many different things ⁓ might do the same processes our shops every day, but every day is different. Every donation is different. Sometimes we get super excited about things that come through the door and meeting the people. Actually, enrolling new volunteers is really great. Getting to know customers, regular customers that suddenly say, do you know what? I've not told you, but I would love to come and join the team. And having them people join the team and watching them grow and love it. And people that are lonely that come and join the team. Seeing people's confidence turn around. There is nothing more rewarding. everyone works so good together and to be able to do what we do, isn't it? So we will ask you in a minute about your of your worst days and your funniest days in the shops. But I do have one question ⁓ one of the challenges ⁓ I see coming down the road for hospices obviously ⁓ the assisted dying ⁓ So that's going to be a massive change for the country. And if hospices to play a role in that, ⁓ I can see that being difficult. I can see that potentially. ⁓ you might lose staff, clinical staff and retail and fundraising staff who might not want to be there and be part of that. Or you might lose donors or customers that no longer want to shop with you because again, they are against the assisted diet bill. And that's going to be really difficult. It's a really controversial subject. Everyone has got their own opinions for and against. I still haven't even made up my mind about it. Having worked for a hospice and gone to Hospice UK conference where that was a massive topic. being spoken about, I haven't even made up my mind yet. are you preparing yourselves in any way for that or you're just going to see what comes down the road or I don't really know where my question is going to be honest, but I just think that is a big challenge that we're facing. I would say ⁓ the heart of what we do is heart. So. ⁓ whatever people would feel on either for or against, it's about giving dignity. And for the patient, for the families, it would be a very individual thing, I think. ⁓ We would just have to let the families and the person that involved kind of make those decisions and respect that. ⁓ it's never gonna be easy. Their days aren't easy. ⁓ But all we can do as a hospice is make their life and their end of life as easy as possible, whatever that decision would be. So I'm kind of on the same page and really don't really know how to really think about it, if I'm completely honest. think, know, hospices play such a huge part in end of life for people. I almost, I don't know, in a way it's a little bit in denial. I just think, that can't happen because I just don't know how that will affect us as a charity. However, for us, think we keep going. We don't stop ⁓ and we be the supportive people that we've always And just hope how this ⁓ turns out ⁓ is a positive for everybody. ⁓ We will continue to what we and we will always ⁓ be supportive of everybody that comes through our door. ⁓ kind of that's how I could answer that really because I'm almost don't want to think about in a very ignorant way I almost don't want to think about what could come from that in the negative way but I'm sure there are many positives but I just think for us at the moment it's quite difficult because the hospices struggle in any way and the lack of funding anyway the we're trying to deal with that that boat first and the vital funds that we need for the hospice is our main focus, our only focus. So I think we have to deal with that, think, when it happens and hope that we're all still floating, basically. Yeah, I think the only positive that has come out of the whole conversation about assisted dying is that the spotlight has been turned onto hospices and the amazing jobs that they do. And I do think... One of my personal opinions is I feel like they're skipping to the end game when actually they should be focusing on providing the right level of funding for hospices to provide that end of life and that palliative care rather than skipping straight to assisted dying. There's a massive step that's being missed out in terms of, you know, are hospices getting the right level of funding from the NHS and the right support and the right awareness to all of the communities that are out there that those services are available completely free of charge. and the lack of understanding of how you can support your local hospice, whether that is shopping with you guys in your charity shops or through fundraising, volunteering, all of that really helps to have hospices thrive carry on doing the vital work that they do. So I think ⁓ one thing that can come out of the conversation with assisted dying is to support your local hospice before we even ⁓ get to stage, because there are so many hospices that are closing ⁓ down really clinical services like child bereavement services, live and well day services so that you know don't have to have an overnight stay it's being able to access that care throughout. So yeah I would just implore any kind of followers that are listening you know there five that are my mum, Mimi's mum ⁓ and St Raphael's thank goodness. So yeah, if you are listening, then just support your local hospice, please, because it is incredible the work that they do. I know I've said it a hundred times throughout this episode and I'm now hogging the mic, but I just can't say how important it is. So yeah, thank you. So now moving on to... leadership and management within retail and within this area of retail specifically. So could you maybe give us proudest about your shop and your team really? I'll start out with the donation center. We have a large number of volunteers and we love every one of them. They are our family. ⁓ We have the best team ever. They work so hard. We have so much coming through and they just non-stop. They don't hardly sit down except for a cup of tea. And we like to present everything like a showroom. So when you come to our charity shop, it's not just a charity shop, it's a showroom. And we take great pride in making sure everything is laid out. and ⁓ a constant stream of new items. Like you can come in and 10 minutes later come back in the shop, see new things on the shelf. We want to constantly have that available. ⁓ But yes, our team is absolutely wonderful and they are at Wimbledon too, so I'll pass you over. You know, I don't want to just say Wimbledon because I'm super proud of our whole team. got a great team in there. ⁓ We've got a great team in every shop it's just lovely. it's ⁓ being of that team and ⁓ seeing what you all achieve together in your shop ⁓ huge. mean, ⁓ Wimbledon Village, example, take hell of a lot of money in our because the donation get the amazing donations to us. ⁓ We're all still part of a team. Wimbledon can't do that on their own. We're linked with the donation center guys and they're the ones that providing us and trained to pick the items for us. So it's not just the one shop. We're all working together all the time. We're all contacting the donation center who delivers to all of our shops. We're all part of one big team. We're not separate. ⁓ And other charities, they're much larger. ⁓ many more shops. think because we're a hospice charity and we're more of a local charity, we have less shops, but we're all one big family. So for me, I'm just proud of all of our shop teams. ⁓ and I go round and visit ⁓ quite a lot of them. just seeing the excitement, know, to be honest, I've got a new assistant at the moment and I'll tell you this story. He's very new to us in Wimbledon Village and the excitement he gets from our takings is really special. And I know what we take and I know we take good money in there and it's a good show-off. And then to hear somebody so excited. to, you know, I'm like, wow, you know, gosh, it's so lovely to see the enthusiasm, you know, and that's what we're all there for. We're all really enthusiastic and we're all really keen to make the money for the hospice. So as we're wrapping up the podcast, we like to ask everyone that comes on, your charity shop shout out of the week. So this is just a space where you can shout you admire or shop that's been, that you think is fantastic to go in. ⁓ it's probably one the most difficult questions on the podcast because within ⁓ the sector, always people that you bump into every day that you deeply admire and love to work with for different reasons. But anyone in particular that like to shout out ⁓ or ⁓ any shop ⁓ been into and it was particularly cool. I like to shout out our clearance shops, our new Maldons, our Sutton, our Rose Hills. ⁓ They are really, they have work very hard because they sell things the quickest. ⁓ But they lay those, ⁓ those shops out. They're clearance but they don't look like clearance shops. They do go above and beyond to make them still look like high street shops. ⁓ They do an excellent job they have a lot coming through their doors. So we appreciate them. Absolutely, I agree with that. They work super hard and you know, because their items in there are three pound and under ⁓ the amount of stock that is and the time that's restocking their rails, they work super hard. So I absolutely second ⁓ For me, I'm gonna go all the way up to our and probably think I'm being, suck ⁓ But I'm not, no, I tell you why. tell you why. Because from day one, I felt like I was in the right role from, because of her. She is amazing person to work ⁓ I learned so much from ⁓ And, you I think she gives everything she's got. She works above and beyond. And to learn from her and to everything I portray when I go to the shops and I train everybody on is what I've learned from our director. She has a heart of gold and she wants to help absolutely everybody. So a big shout out to Sarah Jane. I'm not being a suck up honest. But overall, just a huge shout out to everybody that works for St. Raphael's and the nurses and all the care that goes in the hospice. They're number one. So yeah. And I'm not sucking up either, but this lady right here. Miss Nicola, she has taught me everything about this because I came in from normal retail setting to this which is a whole different thing you need to learn. This lady taught me how to lay things out, how to price it. It took a little while because I had to learn ⁓ but the position I've got, they've given me opportunities that I didn't think I would have. Nearly 50 years old, I thought, where's my career gonna go? What am I gonna do? These ladies opened up doors for me that I didn't think I could have at my age and gave me opportunities and I do appreciate that and I'm learning from the best. So lovely you two, I love you guys. And also nearly 50 years old, I need your skincare routine. I know this is not filmed, but you should see there's not a line on her. ⁓ So let's kind of wrap up a few key takeaways then for anyone listening. So we've talked about hospice charity shops and the hospice work and they really do truly build community and connection and that compassion you can really see that within customer service when you walk into a hospice charity shop and that's a real skill that you ladies have because that shop floor really is an extension of the hospice. So whether that's through the donations that come through with people having a personal connection to the hospice. or the vital funding that goes back into the inpatient units, the day services, or hospice at home teams. Hospice retail really is, it's so powerful and it's so greatly underappreciated, the fact that they're part of the circular economy as well as given that kind of vital care. So yeah, if your hospice wants any support with driving your retail strategy to create extra funds back for the hospice, whether that's training or shop performance, ⁓ then the charity retail consultancy is always here to help. So make sure you get in touch and find out how we can support you and get more money in the till for those patients and their loved ones. you. And a huge thank you to our wonderful guests from St. Raphael's Hospice. Your dedication ⁓ compassion ⁓ and ⁓ spirit is ⁓ what makes hospice ⁓ retail. and Charity Retail as a whole, so special. So thank you both for coming on. you so much. Thanks for having us. We really enjoyed it. And, ⁓ know, ⁓ do it again someday, hopefully. ⁓ appreciate you giving us this opportunity. Thank you. So to all our listeners, if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with someone who also loves charity shops just as much as we do. So follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn at the charity retail consultancy and also give St. Raphael's a follow as well. So do you want to do a shout out for your Instagram? Nicola, I think you do your Instagram as well, don't you? Yeah. Another just another string to her bow. So yeah, where should we follow you? Okay, so we are on Facebook, the hospice have their own site on Facebook and on Instagram, which is St. Raphael's Hospice. And then we have one for our shops too, which on Instagram. ⁓ it is st.raphs_shops. ⁓ Amazing, well, thank you so much. Thank you guys for coming on and thank you everyone for listening