Barnstaple air ambulance charity shop wins prestigious award

Devon Air Ambulance’ Barnstaple charity shop has won ‘The WOW! Factor’ category at this year’s Charity Retail Association awards for Best Shop Interior.

The Charity Retail Association represents the interests of charity shops and charity retailers across the UK and this annual award ceremony celebrates the innovation and achievements of charity retailers across the country including Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) who was shortlisted for three awards:

• Vanessa Hawken - Retail Employee of the Year
• Clive Burke - Volunteer of the Year
• Barnstaple Community Hub – The WOW! Factor Award for Best Shop Interior

Pete Vallance, head of business development at Devon Air Ambulance, proudly accepted the award for the Best Shop Interior on Thursday 27 June, he said: “This award was voted for by the attendees of the event so to be chosen as Best Shop Interior by our peers and suppliers in the charity retail industry is truly an honour. It is a testament to the work that goes on behind the scenes in not just running a charity shop but setting one up with sustainability and luxury retail experience in mind.

“One of the fundamental goals of the Barnstaple Community Hub and many of our refits looking ahead, is to reuse and recycle as much as we possibly can. When you walk into our North Devon shop, whatever preconceived notions you have about traditional charity shops will be completely turned around and this award demonstrates that.”

The Barnstaple shop is not only a unique and innovative charity shop, it is also a vibrant Community Hub for local people to gather as well as to shop.

The aim behind DAA’s award-winning community hub is to foster a sense of belonging in a space dedicated to local people, where they can come together to connect and to support one another.

In addition to this innovative community and fundraising hub, the centrepiece is a large workspace with seating for ten, set up in memory of Avril Kingdom, a much-loved former Devon Air Ambulance employee.

Local community groups are invited to meet up here, either to enjoy their own interests and crafts such as a knit and natter, or to support the charity by mending donations in need of repair.

Community groups are invited to make good use of this space and can contact Shop Manager Kevin Brown at k.brown@daat.org for more information.

The Barnstaple shop is designed with sustainability and creativity in mind, even the shop furniture was sourced second hand. The till point creates a focal point in the store with a donation station and branded messaging built into the wooden countertop and as you enter the fitting rooms, you find yourself enjoying the view from the helicopter cockpit.

Devon Air Ambulance helps save lives at the scene. Its specialist doctors and paramedics provide crucial, time-critical care to patients suffering from serious illness or injury. The charity serves Devon and neighbouring counties by air and by road, with the aim of reaching every patient within 15-20 minutes.

The charity depends on voluntary donations to continue its lifesaving service. If you wish to support their vital work, donate here: www.daat.org