Hospice Shops

Shoppers visiting one of the North Shore Hospice shops are likely to find themselves uncovering a veritable treasure trove of clothing, toys, books, furniture and general bric-a-brac. We now have seven retail stores, including the newest in Birkenhead, which is a specialist Book Shop, called Finally...Books! The 'retail' shop has moved two doors down, still in Hammond Place, but now in much bigger brighter premises. Whether rummaging for treasure in the old 'op-shop' environment at our Warehouse in Forrest Hill or visiting any one of our quality, bright, clean shops for a special item, you will enjoy the welcoming, friendly atmosphere. There are quality bargains galore in all our shops, owing to the generosity and wide variety of taste and background of our donors. (Please read the section "Donating to Hospice Shops")

The growth and development of our stores has been staggering and has largely been possible because over 200 shop volunteers willingly dedicate their time. Shop shifts are generally 3 hours. Volunteering is a time of knowing your work benefits Hospice patients and families, fabulous fellowship with both your customers and work mates, and a time to share your knowledge and expertise, or a feeling of 'giving back'. Hundreds of man hours are spent behind the scenes, with volunteers cleaning, sorting and pricing then selling the thousands of items donated on a regular basis. Each shop has a professional, paid manager.

Hospice volunteers will welcome you at all their shops.

VOLUNTEERING:

We are always in need of volunteers for our shops. Our volunteers are bright, friendly and energetic. They work hard in a variety of roles in the shops - sales at the counter, as floor staff chatting to customers and keeping the shop looking inviting, sorting, cleaning and pricing stock ready for sale, and many other roles all of which are essential to the smooth running of the shop. We value our volunteers and try to ensure that while you are with us, you enjoy your shifts.

VOLUNTEERING:

We are always in need of volunteers for our shops. Our volunteers are bright, friendly and energetic. They work hard in a variety of roles in the shops - sales at the counter, as floor staff chatting to customers and keeping the shop looking inviting, sorting, cleaning and pricing stock ready for sale, and many other roles all of which are essential to the smooth running of the shop. We value our volunteers and try to ensure that while you are with us, you enjoy your shifts.

If volunteering in one of our outlets isn't your thing, but you have knowledge and skill of an area such as fine china, ephemera, coins, stamps, pottery, art or the like, we would love for you to share your knowledge with us. As you can appreciate, we get a number of valuable donations, and need to ensure we are getting the price for the item so as to benefit Hospice.

If you have some time and energy or some expertise that you could offer, please contact Jenni Bancroft on 09 486 1688 or email jennib@nshospice.org.nz

GOODS:

We rely on good clean donations to sell in the shops. Without these donations we are unable to raise a major percentage of the funds necessary to provide the free care to the terminally ill in our community, and to their family.

Goods must be in good clean and saleable condition and can range from clothing, kitchenware, books, bric a brac, toys, and sporting goods to fine china, jewellery and art. Our Link Drive shop has a wonderful garden centre, so you can donate everything from potting mix, seedlings, cuttings, pots, garden art, plants, sculpture, stones, herbs and more to the team there who will be most appreciative.

You can take your donation to any of our shops, however if it is furniture, whiteware or electrical goods they need to go to either the warehouse in Forrest Hill or to our Link Drive shop. Takapuna also sell furniture.

"Your gift of goods equals our promise of care"

PICK UPS / DELIVERIES:

We have a team of dedicated drivers who are able to collect your large items or furniture.

Please call either our warehouse, Link Drive shop or 09 486 1688 and leave your details so Lionel can call you to arrange a suitable time.

Our drivers also deliver furniture you have purchased, for a nominal fee. Please ask in store for this service.

WHAT WE CAN'T ACCEPT:

While we do rely on and are truly thankful for your donations that keep us going, there are some things that we aren't able to accept.

North Shore Hospice staff have the right to refuse goods as listed below, or any other item not listed that is not in good saleable condition or that could present a Health and Safety hazard.

• Baby/Children's car restraint seats
• Helmets
• Computers, screens, printers and accessories
• Fax machines
• Electric blankets
• Any electrical goods that have frayed cords or any other obvious faults
• Wire wove & Divan beds
• Hot water bottles
• Inflatable toys
• Encyclopedias & Readers Digest Condensed books and magazines
• Cracked/broken glass, china & pottery
• Soiled, marked or damaged clothing
• Pillows/duvets (bedding) that is marked/mildewed etc
• Rusty tin, tools etc
• Food items
• Drugs, medications, needles - either prescribed or pharmacy purchased
• Gas bottles & Gas heaters
• Paint & Flammable liquids

We ask for your understanding with this. The significant amount of money we spend per annum on waste removal means less funding for the free service we provide, so we try to minimise the waste.