23 Aug 2024 Shop News

Shop spotlight of the month - Moldgreen Donation Centre

The Kirkwood's Moldgreen Donation Centre: A Beacon of Community Spirit.  

Situated on Wakefield Road, the main thoroughfare through Huddersfield, you'll find the hidden gem, The Kirkwood Donation Centre - Moldgreen. Offering more than meets the eye, with its low roof and modest exterior, the shop might seem small to passersby but once inside, visitors are greeted by a spacious and welcoming environment.

The shop's large, European-style windows flooded with space and natural light, creating an airy and open atmosphere enhanced by the pristine white flooring visitors will discover not only high-quality furniture but also clothing and bric-a-brac.



Karen Hartley, the shop manager, describes the shop as a hub of community interaction. She said, "I've been a shop manager here for two and a half years. I started as the deputy manager at the Mirfield shop, before being offered the opportunity to become manager at the Moldgreen Donation Centre six months later."

Karen's journey to The Kirkwood was born out of a desire to give back to her community after a long career with Gregg's, where she was an area manager. She explained, "I was made redundant from Gregg's after 30 years and live in the local area, and after my mum passed away from cancer, I wanted to put something back into the community."

The shop is more than just a retail space; it's a community cornerstone, thanks to its 17 dedicated volunteers, from diverse backgrounds, bringing a wealth of experience and passion for our cause. As Karen emphasises, "We have a very varied volunteer group with regards to people's ages, backgrounds, and ethnicity. As long as you are hardworking and want to help The Kirkwood succeed, that's all I want to know."

The shop sells an eclectic mix of furniture, bric-a-brac, and clothing, ranging from the quirky to the high-end. Karen recalls one particularly memorable piece of furniture, saying, "We once had this lovely cream Italian leather corner sofa and chair, and we got nearly a thousand pounds for it. It was a very popular item, and I could have sold it over and over again."











For Karen, the real joy of managing the shop comes from the relationships she's built with the customers and volunteers. She said, "I love all the volunteers, I love the customers. We get our regulars in, and it's lovely to see them and catch up. One of those regulars is an ex-children entertainer called David. He comes in to buy DVDs or treats for his animals from our new goods range."

Giving a little back during his visits to the ex-children's entertainer creates wonderful balloon animals and swords and donates them for visitors' children to play with and take home.



"When we get children in the store, we ask if they'd like one of David's creations, and they are always excited and happy to select from the basket of choices. It makes the children happy and adds another bit of fun to our shop."




Pictured - A selection of secondhand netherhall learning campus, school uniforms

The shop also serves as a logistical hub for The Kirkwood's delivery drivers, who transport furniture between the Moldgreen shop and its sister locations on Bradford Road and in Mirfield. Karen works closely with the other shop managers to make sure everything is delivered or collected on time. She said, "I do have the drivers run from here. We have two sets of drivers, and every morning I print off the delivery sheets for them and the collection sheets for all three furniture shops. I have a great relationship with the other shop managers, and we all work as a team to succeed."

Among the dedicated volunteers is Karen Wimpeny, who joined The Kirkwood after retiring from managing a charity shop for MIND in Huddersfield. On why she loves working for the charity, she said, "I keep the shop clean and help with numerous jobs. We all look to help each other and work as a team. I'm proud to volunteer with The Kirkwood."

Another volunteer, Ben Martin, finds satisfaction in contributing to the shop. "It's very rewarding when you help a customer and see a direct impact of what you're doing," Ben notes. His enthusiasm for the shop's offerings is evident as he jokes, "I keep thinking every time I'm here, I wish my house was bigger because there are so many bits of furniture that I want to take home."

Finally, Olivia David, the Deputy Shop Manager, plays a crucial role in ensuring the shop runs smoothly alongside manager Karen. Olivia explained her role by saying, "Me and Karen, the shop manager, work really well together. We're both quite motivated and driven workwise. We get on, we've got similar ideas, and then we've got a variety of skills."

The Moldgreen Donation Centre, with its inviting atmosphere and community spirit, is a testament to the dedication of its volunteers and the strong sense of community fostered by The Kirkwood. As Olivia aptly puts it, "I think of us as a little mini superstore because we've got everything, and I think that makes a big difference to the customers that come in."

In a place where everyone knows your name and every purchase supports a greater cause, it's clear that this shop is much more than just a place to buy furniture and clothing, it's a place where the community thrives.

 

Have you visited our Moldgreen shop recently? We would love to hear your feedback. If you would like to share your thoughts or have any questions about how you could become part of our retail teams, please email us at: retail@thekirkwood.org.uk.

Coming up next month, we visit The Kirkwood Shop - Waterloo to catch up with Tracey Littler  and her team.