East Dorset end of life charity, Lewis-Manning Hospice, are running thrift shops for local care homes this Christmas.
Laura Cox, Store Manager of the Charity Shop branch in Winton said, “just because they can’t come out themselves it doesn’t mean we can’t deliver to them.”
The thrift shop pop up sales that fundraise for the charity are run at Bournemouth University, Arts University Bournemouth and now in care homes in the Dorset area.
Cox said, “We just want to get our name out there and help support as many people as we can.”
To support patients and their families this Christmas, they are also running wreath making from the 9th December, giving people a chance to connect with others in the similar situations.
The charity also continues to run their ‘Candles in the Community’ events this Christmas season where people can make donations to have a candle lit in memory of a loved one.
The previous event on the 6th November was cancelled due to the roadworks on the Christchurch bypass disallowing people to attend.
Their next ‘Candles by the Sea’ takes place on the15th November at St Mary’s Church in Swanage the church choir and Swanage Town band will deliver a live performance.
Due to being an end-of-life care charity Cox said, “all the care that we give is free and we just need more people volunteering to pay for nurses so we can keep supporting people.”
Volunteer, Gary said, “I live on my own and I love that I get to meet new people, and you meet someone different each day.”
The Winton branch describe their store as ‘student heavy’ but said they also get regular customers who come in to socialise too.
Cox said, “it’s a social event for them.”
Gary said, “We have the same lady that comes in at the same time every day.”
He said, “It becomes part of their routine.”
The store hope to combat loneliness this Christmas by offering these community centred events.
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