Drive Thru Donation Success

The words ‘drive-thru’ usually bring to mind images of fast food and takeaway coffees, but we trialled a brand new way for people to recycle their unwanted items last month, which proved so popular we have already confirmed more dates – Saturday 26th October and Saturday 16th November.

 


The concept is simple – people drive up to our distribution centre in Reddish between 10am and 3pm on 26th October or 16th November, and our friendly team will unload everything quickly so they can be on their way. It’s just off the M60, so really convenient, and we hope it will be an easy solution for people who want to recycle or declutter, but aren’t able to head to a charity shop, park up, and carry lots of bulky items, bags or boxes.
The items will all be put to really good use as we have fourteen shops across Greater Manchester, as well as a busy eBay shop too. We sell both new and preloved goods, and are always happy to receive donations such as furniture homeware and clothing.
The money raised from the sale of the items will help the hospice to support local patients, so it’s not only great for the environment to recycle things you no longer need, it will also have a real impact on people’s lives too.



Amanda Brooks, Head of Trading Company at St Ann’s

The Drive-Thru Donations day will be taking place at our Distribution Centre, Bankfield Industrial Estate, Unit A1, Coronation Street, Reddish, SK5 7SE, and drivers can drop by any time between 10am and 3pm on 26th October or 16th November.

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Sustainable fashion – A blog from our Trading Company Manager

Monton charity shop

My daughter came in from school the other day announcing that she is doing a school project on “going green and eco fashion“ and she wanted me to help her with it. I shifted uncomfortably as I realised that, despite working within the fashion industry for many years, my knowledge of eco fashion wasn’t just lacking, but non-existent.

So, with curiosity, enthusiasm and the pressure of a Year 8 project to complete, I began my mission to find out all I could about sustainable fashion.

I thought going green in a fashion sense meant wearing a hemp sack and not washing your hair for weeks, but after hitting the google search button I quickly realised that there’s more to it than that.

Initially I surprised myself with how familiar I was with terms like sustainability and carbon-footprint but I hadn’t realised how many eco-friendly clothing retailers there are (even here in Manchester) and how small changes in buying habits can make a big difference.

It’s well known that consumers in all industries, whether it’s food or fashion, are more and more environmentally aware, and their buying choices are reflecting this. Style, price and quality aren’t the only questions shoppers are asking. Now they want to know about production, shipping and the use of natural fibres.

Rightfully so, the fashion industry has responded to the need for green fashion and sustainability. Designers and high street shops are more conscious in their designs and materials. So having a greener wardrobe is now both achievable and stylish.

Of course buying clothes made in the UK reduces your carbon footprint, but have you considered that buying from charity shops makes you an eco-friendly shopper?

Admittedly, I’m sometimes hesitant to buy second-hand clothing. I still want that satisfying ‘fresh’ feeling when I put on a new dress and I know I’m not alone. There is still a stigma attached to buying and wearing used clothing, but if you can find an item of clothing in mint condition, on trend and within your budget, then why shouldn’t you buy it?

Charity shops are the hidden gems of the high street with many products donated nearly new or even brand new. I think it’s fair to say that we’re all guilty of doing some comfort shopping and putting our guilty purchases in the charity shop pile during the annual clear out. Rather than hesitating to buy from a charity shop I have to remind myself of the good quality items I have donated.

Although the challenge to be more eco-friendly in our everyday wardrobe sounds like one we might instantly opt-out of, with small changes to our buying habits, it is achievable and I will definitely be trying.

We have fourteen charity shops all over Greater Manchester

Our shops stock a wide range of quality pre-loved clothes, accessories, books, toys, furniture and homeware as well as new goods, at very reasonable prices.

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We’re buzzing for our new ‘bee’ themed new goods!

The ‘worker bee’, mostly referred to as the ‘Manchester bee’, has come to proudly symbolise the city’s industrial past. Textile mills were widespread across Manchester in the 1800s, which were commonly described as ‘hives of activity’ and the workers inside them compared to bees. The ‘worker bee’ will always symbolise Manchester and the city’s hard-working past. It has also come to represent a sense of unity in our great city.

We have recently launched a fantastic range of ‘bee’ themed new goods that are available in our shops and hospice receptions including:

  • Bee mug – £3.75
  • Bee tray (small) – £2.50
  • Bee tray (medium) – £3.99
  • Set of 4 bee placemats – £8.99
  • Set of 4 bee coasters – £2.75
  • Bee cushion – £12.99

They make bee-rilliant gifts for family and friends and they would compliment any home and bring some colour and fun!

But bee quick they won’t be around for long and we don’t want you to get stung and miss out on these great items… so let the shopping bee-gin!

We’re excited that we will be running a stall at the Worker Bee Markets in Heald Green on Sunday 18th August 10am-3pm. We will be selling our range of bee-themed goods plus other items too.

Set in the grounds of popular family destination Nixon’s Farm Shop, the market will host over 50 friendly makers and traders, selling a variety of crafts, gifts, handmade food and sweet treats as well as fresh produce. It’s all undercover, so it will be great to browse whatever the weather. The farm will also be providing a tasty barbecue as well as play areas and animals to see – so a visit to this artisan market will be a great day out for the whole family!

The market is located on Bolshaw Road, SK8 3PS. For more information, please visit the Worker Bee Markets website, https://workerbeemarkets.wordpress.com/heald-green/

We think it is the place to bee this August!

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St Ann’s Drive Thru Donations

The words ‘drive-thru’ usually bring to mind images of fast food and takeaway coffees, but we’re taking the concept one step further with our brand new initiative that is not only a good way to recycle unwanted goods, but is better for the waistline too.


We came up with the idea for drive-thru donations as we realised it was a convenient, easy solution for busy people who want to declutter, but don’t necessarily have time to head down to a charity shop and carry lots of boxes, bulky items, or furniture.

The concept is simple – people drive up to our distribution centre in Reddish on Saturday 10 August any time between 10am and 4pm, pull up to the front in their car, and our friendly team will unload everything quickly for them so they can be on their way promptly. It’s just off the M60, so really convenient wherever people live in Greater Manchester.

We have fourteen charity shops as well as online shops, and are always in need of good quality pre-loved goods such as furniture, homeware, collectibles, and clothing. By taking part in the drive-thru, you can easily declutter your house, whilst helping us to raise valuable money for the local patients that St Ann’s Hospice cares for – and we’ll do the heavy lifting!


Amanda Brooks , Head of St Ann’s Trading Company

The Drive-Thru Donations day will be taking place on Saturday 10 August, at St Ann’s Hospice Distribution Centre, Bankfield Industrial Estate, Unit A1, Coronation Street, Reddish, SK5 7SE, and drivers can drop by any time between 10am and 4pm.

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Spotlight on our Stockport shop

This shop, located on Great Underbank in Stockport’s old town, is one of the town’s best-kept secrets, offering a mix of vintage and fashionable clothing, homeware, antiques and collectables.

Our Stockport shop has a wonderful range of vintage clothing, taking you back to a special time! We believe that every piece should tell a story, so each garment comes with its own history. Come along and find clothing from a range of decades and styles. So whether you are looking for a 60s style dress, or a 80s style jacket, find the one that speaks to you!

Along with selling a fantastic range of brand new and pre-loved items, the hardworking team love to create fabulous shop window displays! It is worth stopping by to view their sensational displays, such as their recent Festival of Colour; with clouds and raindrops, flashing disco lights, a purple party light and a flashing birdcage – you certainly won’t be able to pass by our shop without coming in!

The shop has also been recently revamped to add a new children’s and craft area – making it a great place to bring the little ones over the summer to get creative!

On the second floor, our specialist bookshop stocks a vast collection of books at affordable prices – a perfect place for students or bookworms to pick up a bargain. You can often find first editions and collectors’ items, making it a great place to pick up a rare copy! So for those who can’t think of anything better than curling up on the sofa with a good read, our Stockport shop is the perfect destination, with an array of popular fiction and non-fiction books, alongside some rare titles just waiting to be discovered!

Stockport shop book section

If you have any items that you would like to donate, we would love to hear from you! For more information, please visit the shop at 33 Great Underbank in Stockport, call 0161 222 0576 or email stockport@sah.org.uk

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Spotlight on our Cheadle shop

We are really lucky to have a beautiful and historic building for our Cheadle Shop which is located right on the high street in the centre of the village.

It is well worth stopping by, if only to view its stunning interior with original 1930’s Art Deco features. The shop is housed in former tea rooms and coffee shop called the Premier Cafe which was opened over 80 years ago, the shop has retained many of the fixtures and fittings from its former life.

From the ground floor of the shop you can hardly imagine all the historic features but if you head upstairs to the first floor you will be able to see many of them.

The ground floor of the shop has a range of clothing, accessories, shoes and new goods. Ladies wear is our biggest seller so this has been moved this so it’s at the forefront of the shop. We have lots of fantastic quality clothing and accessories in a range of sizes and styles.

On the first floor there is a dedicated bridal department complete with a large changing room and is home to a wide selection of brand new and pre-loved wedding dresses, along with a range of accessories and gifts for the big day.

The quality of the bridal wear we receive is incredible and many of the dresses that are given to us still have the original price tag on.

We offer a bridal service, which is very popular so we strongly recommend that you make an appointment. We will always try to accommodate every bride, and walk-ins are welcome if a room and consultant is available.

Bridesmaids and mother of the bride outfits are also catered for, as well as hats to ensure that the whole wedding party looks their best.

We have also moved a selection of wedding accessories on the ground floor so that customers can browse them when there are appointments in progress.

On the first floor we have recently changed the back room into a vintage style book room, where customers can relax and browse the books vinyl records and much more. It is a beautiful room with a stunning stained glass ceiling.

We are in need of more vintage style items, such as a small arm chair and table, and general vintage items, if anyone has any items that they would be willing to donate to the shop please get in touch with the shop and we can collect them.

For more information, or to book an appointment with our bridal service please visit the shop at 3 High Street in Cheadle, call 0161 428 5949 or email cheadle@sah.org.uk

Royal baby news!

A big congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the arrival of their first baby boy, born on Monday 6th May 2019 called Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

We’re sure that the family have been inundated with baby clothes and gifts to celebrate the new arrival!

Did you know that we have recently extended our Edgeley shop? That means that our baby and children’s section has expanded too!

The Edgeley shop is filled with lots of lovely new and donated children’s clothing, toys and books that are ready to be snapped up and enjoyed by your little ones!

From a wide range of clothes, dressing up outfits and toys there’s something for everyone.

The shop also has a huge adult clothing selection and gorgeous home and gift ideas.

If there is anything that catches your eye, make sure that you pop into the shop or give them a call on 0161 477 6752 with any enquiries.

Do you have any children’s clothes or items you could donate to our Edgeley shop? Every item we receive contributes to helping us raise vital income. ⠀

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Is it time for a Spring Clean?

We’re asking local people to drop off any unwanted clothing, gift sets, unused bottles, or other items to our hospice shops.

We’re also looking for donations of furniture which we can sell at our specialist furniture shops in Ladybarn and Ardwick, and we can even arrange for pick up of large items from locations across Greater Manchester.


It’s the time of year when we’re all decluttering and thanks to the Marie Kondo effect, many of us are choosing to clear our homes of items we no longer love, want or need. Our shops and regular fundraising fairs and events are incredibly popular, and as a result, we urgently need more donations of items we can sell to raise money for our patients. It’s a great way of putting your unloved items to good use, whilst helping us to provide specialist care to local people, right when they need it most. We run a house clearance service too, so if you have lots of items that would be hard to transport, or are looking for help to clear full rooms, homes, or out buildings, please do get in touch. We would be happy to help, and would really appreciate your support.



Eamonn O’Neal , Chief Executive of St Ann’s

Donations can be taken to any of our charity shops or we also have a collection service

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