Finding gems at Tynedale Hospice at Home, Prudhoe

Many years ago, I used to volunteer for Tynedale Hospice at Home, so when they opened a charity shop in Prudhoe Front Street I could not wait to visit.

Tynedale Hospice at Home provides care & support to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families in Tynedale, Ponteland and West Northumberland.

The Tynedale Hospice has four charity shops. The first shop opened in Hexham in 1996 and is still going strong now. In addition, they have a bookshop (across the road from the main charity shop in Hexham) and a shop in Ponteland and one in Prudhoe. They are going to opening a fifth charity shop in Haltwhistle this year.

I wanted to find a skirt as I have many tops just not a lot to go with them, the shop is like a tardis, it looks small but it is rather large on the inside. Everything is organised and it is really easy to shop.

I scrolled through the rails to see what I could find, I picked up a couple of skirts and dresses.

I found this lovely patterned skirt but it was too big.

I found this interesting shaped green skirt, I love the way it sits on the waist and plumps out, paired with some white shoes I think it will look perfect.

I am all into bright colours and I saw the orange dress, I was like a magpie. Sadly I did not take this one I was not too sure on it.

Ashleigh Trotter, Retail Operations Manager of the Tynedale Hospice at Home said “You can pick up one-off pieces and don’t need to worry about turning up to an event in the same outfit as someone else! “

I have really taken to this charity shopping, the staff Prudhoe are lovely- they really make you feel at home, excellent service.

The volunteers separate items into departments, eg. Menswear, ladies wear, books & DVDs and price accordingly. Nothing is ever wasted, everything gets reused and recycled.

Now I was not supposed to be trying tops but I found this floral number, a next top that still had its label on. The Prudhoe shop has loads of pieces of jewellery, the bracelets are 50p each and I found one to go with the top.

Altogether I spent £8 on the green skirt, top and bracelet and it is all going to charity.

There really is nothing to be worried about charity shopping, as Trotter added “Buying from our charity shops not only supports the people in our community who use our services but is an ethical way to shop by reducing waste and reusing pre-loved items.”

You can find Tynedale Hospice at Prudhoe 16-17 Front Street.