Background The hospice recognises the community’s role in supporting good end of life care and the contribution shops can make to compassionate communities. Hospice shops reach people who might be: socially isolated; older; in poorer health; digitally excluded; less geographically mobile, and who may be unaware of what hospices do.

Aim Hospice shops become an integral part in developing a compassionate community by providing space that enables the community to connect to the hospice and with each other.

Methods Retail team workshop held to:

• Explore what compassionate communities means for retail.

• Celebrate current initiatives and generate new ideas.

• Facilitate Managers to engage with and contribute to their communities.

• Explore ways for shops to connect people to each other.

• Elucidate what is needed to enable this work, e.g. marketing, training etc.

Results In 2022/23, all Shop Managers will have implemented and evaluated at least two ‘Compassionate Communities’ initiatives and shared their learning.

A dedicated space to sell second-hand school uniforms has had a positive impact on the community:

‘Having a place to come where I can buy school uniform, at an affordable price has saved me a whole lot of stress. I was worrying that I wouldn’t be able to afford all the new uniform and give my children a nice Christmas.’

Conclusions The hospice, via its shops, is connecting with people who might not otherwise engage. Through the above initiative, the hospice could explore:

• How it could help schools support bereaved children.

• Opportunities for awareness-raising and fundraising.

How innovative or of interest is the abstract?Regarded as income generators, the hospice shops have been distinct from the hospice’s core business. In fact, the shops have a unique role in integrating the hospice with neighbourhoods and building compassionate communities.