wider
society
making a
difference:
in wider society
Retail
Lobbying
Our retail network of more than 50 shops
helps to bring in a significant £1.5million
each year and is a vital part of connecting
Acorns with the community. That’s why
in the last year we’ve embarked on an
ambitious refurbishment programme,
bringing our shops up to scratch to be fit
for the future.
As a member of Together for Short
Lives (TfSL), the leading UK charity that
speaks out for all children and young
people expected to have short lives, we
have a real say and influence on a range
of issues.
But we know that our shops give more to
the community than a place to support
our cause. By offering volunteering
opportunities or management
experience, we’re equipping people with
real skills, empowering them to get back
to work.
We’re not alone in believing in the social
value of our shops. A report by think tank
DEMOS in 2013 said that charity shops
provided social value through building
employment skills, and by providing
opportunities for social interactions,
combating isolation and improving
wellbeing, potentially reducing reliance
on health and care services.
Working with TfSL and its members
across the UK, we help provide a strong
and unified voice to allow services to
deliver the best quality care and support
tailored to each family’s need.
For example: providing information,
helping families make informed choices
about their care; influencing local
and national children’s palliative care
commissioning and improving young
people’s transition from children’s to
adult services and access to appropriate
services and support.
Corporate Social
Responsibility
We work with a number of local and
regional businesses and employers
who will provide volunteers as part of
their corporate social responsibility
programme.
Whether it’s something as simple
as painting a fence or gardening at
one of the hospices, the benefits to
the organisations we work with are
numerous and wide reaching. For
example: helping employers attract,
retain and maintain a happy workforce;
improving business reputation and
standing; increasing customer retention;
increasing employee motivation and
productivity and
encouraging
personal and
professional
development
within the
workplace.
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