Hospice Shops

From the very beginning of funding patient care in the 1980s, it was apparent that shop trading would play a big part. The early forays into retail shop trading date back to 1986 in Port St. Mary. Hospice Shops have traded as a limited company now for twenty years, incorporated in 1988, under the name of Share the Care, and is now a relatively large commercial enterprise with an annual turnover exceeding �750,000 yielding an anticipated net surplus for Hospice Care of �460,000 during the last financial year.

There are six Hospice shops and four salerooms. The Shops are staffed by over 200 Volunteers throughout the Island. Salerooms have become a large percentage of Share the Care income, the largest Saleroom facility being in Allan Street, Douglas. The Company's continuing development meant that it was necessary to move out of Hospice’s Fundraising Department and into an office over the Buck's Road Shop, enabling Share the Care to concentrate fully on its trading activities.

The introduction of “on line” trading, including Christmas cards, an eBay Shop, plus central co-ordination of all Share the Care business has made the office facilities the hub of activity, and the close proximity to Allan Street Saleroom has helped to provide a more convenient and efficient service to the advantage of everyone.

Added to all this are the "Flog it Days," which again are proving to be a huge operation with hundreds of people visiting Nobles Park to view the Car Boot Sale with a difference. There is a large amount of organisation involved but the financial rewards are significant and much appreciated.

As the story of Share the Care progresses it is obvious that the trading company never stands still. Excellent management; enthusiastic volunteers and a caring public enable people throughout the Island to take advantage of these excellent trading facilities.