Hospice
Fundraising
Our Gateshead store reimagines the traditional charity shop, featuring colourful interiors and signage by local artist James Dixon from Lines Behind, bringing a vibrant splash of creativity to Gateshead’s high street. While we’ve operated a smaller shop on Jackson Street for many years, this new, larger store reflects our evolving retail vision.
The shop also includes a designated donation hatch where people can drop off their pre-loved items, giving them the chance to be rehomed and enjoyed by others in the community.
The shop was opened on Friday 21st November by Anita Ball, Director of Income and Marketing at St Oswald’s Hospice, Mark Ferguson, Labour MP for Gateshead Central and Whickham and 26-year-old Gateshead local, Nick Cornwell.
Upon opening the new store Labour MP, Mark Ferguson said:
“As the local MP it’s really important to me that Gateshead town centre is filled with amazing organisations. St Oswald’s Hospice has been an important part of Gateshead town centre for the last 20 years. This is a brilliant new store, I can’t wait for people to get inside and have a look at it.”
Cutting the ribbon and marking the shop as officially ‘open’ was Nick, who lives with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. Nick has been having regular short breaks at our Children and Young Adults Service since 2019.
“Nick really enjoys his stays, and for us, it’s two days each month when we can take a planned break and relax, knowing that Nick is happy and in a lovely environment, cared for by a wonderful team of people who know him so well.”
Nick added:
“I really enjoy my stays with the amazing, fun staff at the Hospice and love the bonkers activities and trips out they organise. I’m very excited about the new Young Adults Service Accommodation and the difference it will make for me and my friends who stay there.”
Talking about the shop opening Melanie said:
“The new shop was lovely – bright, packed full of all kinds of items and most importantly, easily accessible. We bought some fabulous Christmas cards and Nicholas got his eye immediately on a large Disney Story Advent Calendar!”
Nick really enjoyed his important role opening the shop and has even offered to volunteer in store to keep up with how the team are getting on.
Anita Ball, Director of Income and Marketing St Oswald’s Hospice adds:
“From staff and volunteers to customers and donors, everyone who spends time in our newest shop is helping to raise essential funds for the Hospice. Their support ensures that thousands of people and families across the North East – including those from Gateshead, like Nick’s – can receive outstanding and compassionate care, free of charge.”
A big thank you goes to photographers Victoria Najafi and Brian Denham from Gateshead Camera Club, who helped capture the excitement of opening day.
Victoria has won our calendar competition two years in a row, with her images featured in both our 2025 and 2026 calendars – it was a pleasure to have her and Brian in the new shop.
You can view their brilliant images below.
The Gateshead shop is located on West Street, Gateshead, NE8 1HR and is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am – 4.30pm and Sunday, 10am – 4pm.
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