The Retail team at Nottinghamshire Hospice have launched new changes in their Community Shops to making shopping for a pre-loved bargain even easier for people living with disabilities.

Quiet Hour and Doorbells

The newly introduced Quiet Hour will be every Tuesday from 9.30-10.30am. Each shop will be reducing excess noise and create a calmer atmosphere by pausing restocking activities, closing their back-office doors, and taking phone calls away from the shop floor.

Doorbells have also been put in place, so staff and volunteers can be aware of anyone needing extra support getting into the building. They can also help to open heavy doors and take donated items.

Welcoming more of the community

Marck Carthy, Assistant Community Shop Manager, said: “It’s actually very exciting to have these changes take place. One of the great joys of being a shop manager is meeting so many people. Now we’ll be able to welcome even more of our local community, and make sure they have the best shopping experience possible.”

Linda Beard, Retail Area Manager, added: “Providing an inclusive space for our shoppers is so important; we know our shops are an important part of people’s week, and people really value the opportunity to shop in affordable and sustainable ways. What’s more, our customers love knowing that the profits we make go right back to end-of-life care in the community… Knowing even more people can experience this is a joy – we really do call our shops “community shops” for a reason!”

The new systems follow a disability access review, to ensure that anyone can move around with adequate space for wheelchairs, pushchairs or walking support frames and sticks. Where possible, shops have been supplied with grab rails and portable ramps.

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