Hospice Care Week is a chance to champion the essential care and support hospices provide throughout the country for those living with a complex or incurable condition. This year’s theme focuses on hospice retail and the role it plays in funding hospice services.

Havens Hospices has two hospices, Fair Havens in Prittlewell, which cares for adults in Southend, Rochford and Castle Point and Little Havens in Benfleet, the children’s hospice for Essex.

Although the charity receives some funding from the Government, it must raise 71% through fundraising activities, including its charity shops, so it can continue caring for the people who need them in the most difficult times.

Havens Hospices has 27 shops across the county offering a wide range of items—from fashion favourites and vintage finds to unique homeware, books, high-quality goods, and more. They even partner with well-known brands, including Tiptree, to offer a selection of gifts and tasty treats.

The charity also has an online store, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for gifts, new and pre-loved clothing, and tasty treats from locally sourced businesses, like Essex Tea, TEMPRD chocolate, Bean & Boy soaps, and more.

Last year, its retail sector generated an impressive £3.9 million for the organisation thanks to the hard work of its staff and volunteers.

The charity shops rely on the dedication of amazing volunteers who generously contribute their time each week. Last year, Havens Hospices’ 755 shop volunteers each contributed to the £1.3 million that volunteers from across the organisation saved for the charity.

Jan has been volunteering in the Leigh-on-Sea shop for six years because she wanted to give something back to the charity that cared for her husband, Ray, at the end of his life.

She says, “I will never forget the care, compassion and kindness the nurses showed us. One of the nurses said to me, ‘You can stop being his carer now. You can be his wife again’. Havens Hospices allowed me and my daughter to spend precious time with him in those last moments.

“I would recommend volunteering at Havens Hospices to anyone. There is something for everyone and it gives you the opportunity to learn new skills and give back to a local cause, which really makes a huge difference for families like mine.”

The shops are always seeking donations of good-quality clothes and accessories to help fund its specialised care and support services. Donating is a fantastic way for individuals to declutter while positively impacting their community and reducing waste. People can drop off unwanted items, including small electricals, at any of the charity’s shops.

Whether people donate, shop, volunteer, or work with Havens Hospices, every action helps the charity to be there for people when they receive the devasting news that there is no cure.