Meet Laura Parkinson, our newly appointed E-Commerce Co-Ordinator at Willow Burn Hospice. Laura's role is to develop our online sales and generate vital income using online platforms such as Ebay, Vinted and Thriftify.
"My passion for pre-loved shopping started when I was little, my nanna would take me to the charity shops in the Consett area and we would hunt for bargains together, whilst supporting local and national charities. Throughout my adult life, I have always loved the odd browse and rummage in the charity shops, especially when I was a student at Sunderland University and living off my student loan. However, I only started exclusively shopping pre-loved fashion in 2022 as a New Year’s resolution. I made this change mainly because the environmental cost of the current fast fashion industry is really shocking! Back in 2019, I watched the documentary ‘Stacey Dooley Investigates Fashion’s Dirty Secrets’ and this planted the seed for me to look at the way I was shopping and where. I then realised I needed to make some changes. The COVID-19 pandemic hit and unfortunately, we had no choice but to shop online, impacting charities and small businesses all over the country.
Over half of the items I buy from charity shops are brand new with the tags still on. I immediately noticed the effect on my bank balance, which spurred me on to continue to shop more sustainably. The added benefit of doing this which made it even more worth it, was that I was helping to support various charities. Next, I started encouraging friends and family to come thrift shopping with me and many of them have found fabulous additions to their wardrobe. One friend loves it so much, she regularly ask "when can we go charity shopping again?" I arrange a full day out either on my own or with friends and family which always involves lunch or coffee. I see these days as a form of self-care, a time to myself, while treating myself to items that are not going to break the bank.
After my days out, I love to share the treasures I have found with friends and family. They usually can’t believe what I have picked up. My nanna still joins me sometimes, as she loves to spend money on her grandchildren and buying pre-loved fashion for me, as her little treat, is a lovely way of doing this that doesn’t cost the earth (or too much money).
Keep your eyes peeled on this website and our social media channels for tips and advice from Laura on pre-loved shopping, as well as pictures of her incredible bargains.
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