In just over two weeks, nervous movie stars will be putting on their best gowns and practising their happy faces for when someone else wins the Oscar. La La Land is leading the way with 14 nominations but will it sweep the board?
Closer to home, the key date in the world of hospice retail is Thursday 27 April when the Oscars of the charity world are announced at the Hospice UK Retail Conference at Chesford Grange, Warwick.
So why should you apply for one of the 5 awards this year?
- Outstanding Team of the Year – Successful shops need successful teams. Tell us why your team is so special. What are the qualities they demonstrate that means customers keep coming back through your doors?
- Specialist Outlet of the Year – Hospice Retail is inventive. From coffee shops to bridal wear, clearance outlets to electrical retailers. If your hospice has a specialist outlet then let us know.
- Curiosity – Not every donation to a shop is immediately recognisable or even desirable. Share your good, bad and plain ugly, and if nothing else see if your box office flop can scoop an award.
- Add a supplier to the awards – For the first time we are recognising the work of the companies that supply services to hospice retailers. Whether it is your rag merchant, till supplier or Christmas card producer, let us know if you are getting great service as they deserve to be recognised.
- Retail volunteer of the year – Thousands of volunteers give up their time to work in hospice shops. From sorting stock, pricing, steam cleaning, serving or delivering, volunteer teams are busy everyday supporting their local hospice. Just like the Oscars, the Hospice UK Retail Awards are about recognising everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes who make the magic happen.
The nomination system is straightforward, just fill in the nomination form on the Hospice UK website. While you’re there, make sure that come ‘Hell or High Water’ you book your conference place at the same time and plan your ‘Arrival’ so you have plenty of time to meet the exhibitors.
The awards will be presented at lunchtime so alas no ‘Moonlight’ and we cannot guarantee the attention of the world’s press – nor will there be expensive guest goody bags but there might well be some designer dresses and a few diamonds.
Despite the glitz and glamour, let’s not forget that the point of the day is to celebrate all that is great about hospice retail; learn how to develop it further and recognise all the hard work and inventiveness which means that £55m per annum is raised for hospice care.
Now that is something worth making a song and dance about.
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