17 Dec 2024 Shop News

Shop spotlight of the month - Lindley

The Kirkwood Shops play a vital role in generating income towards the care and services we provide as a hospice and movement within the communities of Kirklees. Our shops not only serve as a source of income but also as a community hub for those seeking information about our services and how to access them.

Located not far from the centre of Lindley is The Kirkwood Lindley Shop, popular for its thoughtful window displays, warm welcome and quality selection of donated pre-loved clothing. This charming suburb of Huddersfield is a vibrant neighbourhood, known for landmarks such as the Art Nouveau Lindley Clock Tower, Manor House, independent shops and bars, boasting a strong sense of community. 

Earlier this month we visited Joanne Reeves and her team. Joanne has managed our Lindley shop for the last six years passionate about The Kirkwood and a charity close to her heart. Joanne explains: “I lost a family member last year, and it gave me a deeper understanding of the amazing care we offer as a movement, and incredibly fulfilling to know that every penny raised from the sales made in our shop contributes towards patient care.”



Throughout 2023/24, 1,455 people were supported in their own homes with the help of The Kirkwood Community Nursing teams. The impact of these services being available and accessible can mean a world of difference to the families we support. The funding generated from the sale of donated goods in our shops, and our income generation teams, such as Lottery, Community, Corporate, and Events all contribute to ensuring we continue to be there for those who need us most.

This is a message and ethos that is not lost on the public and those that have previously accessed or are currently accessing our services, across Kirklees. Joanne has seen significant changes during her employment with The Kirkwood in both the shop and its clientele. 


 

“The shop isn't just supported by local people as it once was, now we see visitors from and wide who come to browse our rails and shelves for their next bargain. Our demographic has diversified, and it’s been great to see and welcome a younger customer base alongside our regulars and new customers. 

“When I began as manager at the Lindley Shop, everyone had set jobs. I wanted to foster a more cohesive team, bringing them together to identify what they enjoyed doing most in their roles and delegating to those areas of enjoyment and strengths. To me, it was important to ensure everyone has fun and job fulfilment using their skills to the overall success of our shop.”





A particular area of pride is Lindley's shop window displays, carefully curated to showcase annual themes and the best of pre-loved fashions. Joanne explains: “We put a lot of effort into our window displays, which helps us draw attention to our shop."

Noticed for their fashion choices on display The Kirkwood Lindley Shop caught the attention of a well known influencer, who originally hailed from Lindley before relocating to down south. The Lindley Shop has featured in a few shorts on many occasions on 'The Monica Way'. Monica Marriott-Mills a luxury Bridal, Pre-loved and Slow Fashion expert with over 25,000 followers on her Instagram alone, has been sharing her fashion finds with her followers, during her visits which has helped to boost customer footfall.  





Influence can take many forms, and one person who understands its power is Jillian Cass, a dedicated volunteer at the shop for the past five years. Jillian spoke passionately about her role, expressing how the care her husband received from The Kirkwood Nursing Team inspired her to give back. She finds her work profoundly rewarding.

Jillian explains: “My husband, Vytautas, was cared for by the amazing nurses and doctors at The Kirkwood. He lived with pancreatic cancer and spent ten days in their in-patient unit at their hospice in Dalton, before passing away at home."

This experience shaped her view of The Kirkwood and her appreciation of the importance of our charity and its impact on those who access our services.

Jillian continues: “I love the people here, it gets me out of the house and meet new people, is my favourite part of volunteering at the shop. It’s such a tight-knit team, we even meet up socially sometimes which is lovely. The shop is beautiful, well-kept, and always fresh with fantastic donations. I can never leave without buying something myself!

I am really proud to be part of The Kirkwood, and knowing that what we raise in the shop goes directly back into patient care makes me feel good.”



For Judith Rowland, volunteering at The Kirkwood Lindley Shop began four years ago as a way to stay active post-retirement.

“I’d just finished work and hadn’t been doing much during the pandemic,” she explains. “I live locally and thought, why not volunteer for a charity that’s done so much for people I know.”

During her time volunteering, and introducing new traditions like 'Toasted Teacake Thursdays', when the team take a moment to enjoy a bite to eat, cuppa and catch up. "It’s a lovely way to bring us together" Judith explains. 

Enjoying the camaraderie and variety her role offers, from organising donated items to helping customers. She takes great pride in creating shop window displays that attract visitors and customers. “I particularly enjoy working on the shop window displays. They’re a big talking point, especially our Christmas and scarecrow-themed designs.

I’m proud to work for The Kirkwood; it’s a fantastic charity that supports people with life-limiting illnesses.”



The Kirkwood shop in Lindley is more than a charity shop, it’s a community hub where volunteers, staff, and customers come together to make a tangible difference. Whether it’s Jillian finding solace after her loss, Judith discovering a fulfilling new chapter, or Joanne driving change and growth, their collective efforts embody the essence of Lindley’s community spirit. As visitors explore its thoughtfully curated offerings, they’re not just supporting a good cause; they’re stepping into a space filled with warmth, purpose, and hope.

As the shop Spotlights comes to an end for 2024, we'd like to take a moment to thank all our customers for visiting and supporting our shops across Kirklees! We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!



If you've enjoyed the shop spotlights this year, keep your eyes peeled in 2025 as we visit; Mirfield Furniture Shop, Bradford Road, Melthem, Denby Dale, Denby Dale Community Cafe, Huddersfield, Wyke, Almondbury, Kirkburton, eBay and the team at Sandsmill and lastly our newest addition to our retail outlets, our Fashion Without Boundaries Shop - the first of its kind in the charity retail sector, with no gender-defining rails offering a safe space for customers to express who they are through their fashion choices.