24 Mar 2026 Shop News

Shop Spotlight of the month - Meltham

More than meets the eye: Step inside the village shop where everyone knows your name and discover the hidden heart of The Kirkwood Meltham.

Nestled on the edge of the Pennines, the village of Meltham is a peaceful and picturesque town favoured by families and outdoor enthusiasts for its strong community feel and proximity to the Peak District. It remains a place where people know one another and support local causes. Among the independent shops and cafes, Meltham is also home to two charity shops, one of which is The Kirkwood Meltham Shop.



The shop is managed by Natalie Wheeldon, who transitioned from volunteer to manager in June 2025. With community spirit is at the heart of Natalie’s journey, she has brought with her a wealth of knowledge accumulated over fifteen years of volunteering across the community, a commitment that began when her children were young and she ran a local toddler group. After volunteering at the shop for eighteen months, she was offered the position of manager. Natalie shares that she absolutely loves the role and, while it has been challenging at times, already knowing the shop and the local people helped her settle in quickly.

“I’m from the village myself, so I know a lot of the community. It came at the right time in my life too, as all my children have grown up and I wanted something else to focus on.”

One of the things that makes the Meltham shop unique is that it is much larger than it first appears from the outside. Natalie likens the building to the Doctor Who Tardis. Comprising two levels, the first floor greets visitors with a blend of donated items and shelves of new stock. However, a trip downstairs reveals two additional rooms that many people do not realise are there. These hidden spaces house men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, a toy corner, and various bric-a-brac.
 

As Natalie explains, the shop is much bigger than it appears from the front.

Its central location provides a distinct advantage, as the shop often welcomes visitors passing by on the school run or on their way to work. The team greets familiar faces on a weekly basis, including returning customers such as Susan Hinchliffe. For several years, Susan has visited the shop on a Thursday morning as part of her weekly routine. The friendly welcome she receives is one of the main reasons she keeps coming back.

“The team here are always happy to see you, they ask how people are and take the time to make conversation, which makes the shop feel warm and welcoming. The quality of the products is great and there is always a good variety of things to look at. I quite often buy the new products as well, like The Kirkwood diaries and calendar. It is nice knowing that when you buy something here, the money is going back into patient care and helping people in our community.”

Susan recently retired after a long serving career in healthcare, having worked for thirty seven years as a qualified nurse at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. She is passionate about supporting The Kirkwood.
 

“The Kirkwood has always been part of growing up in this area, and people have been raising money for it throughout my healthcare career. I have had family members cared for by the hospice, and as a student nurse I did a placement there many years ago, so I have seen first-hand how important it is to Kirklees.”

For Susan, the presence of the shop on the high street adds value and affirms a connection to the village. Having a visual presence keeps the charity at the forefront of people’s minds, reinforcing the message that The Kirkwood is there to support anyone living with a life limiting illness.

As Natalie shared, another way of supporting the charity is through volunteering. The shop is supported by a team of twenty five dedicated volunteers with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. These range from a high school student completing their GCSEs to retired residents wanting to continue to support their community. One such volunteer will celebrate her 80th birthday this year and is described as a real character who is well known in the village. People often pop in just to say hello to her.




Meltham itself hosts several well-known community events throughout the year, including the popular Scarecrow Festival and the Meltham Memories weekend. These events attract large crowds and bring the community together. Since joining as manager, Natalie has enjoyed helping the shop become even more involved in these village traditions.
 

For Natalie, the work represents something far more meaningful than simply selling donated items. Having experienced the impact of the care family members received from The Kirkwood, she feels it is incredibly rewarding to know the shop helps to support others at such an important time in their lives. She encourages anyone who has never visited before to pop in and explore what the hidden rooms downstairs have to offer. Thanks to the dedication of the staff and volunteers, alongside the continued support of local customers, the shop remains a valued part of village life while raising essential funding for hospice care across Kirklees.

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