Shop Spotlight: West Stewart Street

Inside the West Stewart Street Shop
The West Stewart Street shop was opened in 2016 as a hub for Inverclyde residents to find the best deals on great items. The shop’s supervisor, Kenneth McDonald, has been working as a supervisor at the shop since its inception.
Kenny has been a regular in several Ardgowan Hospice shops, becoming a friendly face for many as they walk through the doors of West Stewart Street.
Kenny said: “I had been out of work when the hospice first asked me to join the team. Initially, I’d been asked to go just on placement and I loved every minute of it.
“I was over the moon when they asked me to take on the Kilblain Street shop. The hospice means a lot to me so to be able to give back in this way is just a dream.
“When we moved to this shop (West Stewart Street), it was crazy. It was as though Inverclyde needed this new Ardgowan Hospice shop.
“Even to this day, people will still come up to the volunteers or even me and thank us for being here for the people of Inverclyde. That’s such a lovely thing to hear.”

How Shopping on West Stewart Street Supports Ardgowan Hospice
With the shop being opened by Ardgowan Hospice, every penny spent in the shop goes towards supporting the hospice. Your money, as well as any donations made for the shop, all go towards the provision of compassionate care in Ardgowan Hospice.
Kenny said: “Spending money in our shops goes a long way in helping Ardgowan Hospice. No matter what you’re buying, every little helps for the hospice.”
One customer said: “It’s always a nice feeling knowing that the money I spend in the shop goes towards the hospice.
“Getting the benefit of the bargains is nice, but supporting the hospice trumps that all day.”
Hidden Gems: What You Can Find at the West Stewart Street Shop
As the donations to the shop are all second-hand, you are never far away from a hidden gem.
Fiona says: “We’ve had items in here that get sold at £40 and eventually sold for thousands of pounds. But the beauty of it all is that sometimes you don’t know which ones are the moneymakers and which ones aren’t, especially when we are short of volunteers to help us check.
“You’ll see people with their phones out and looking up what each antique item is valued at online. It’s always a fascinating watch to see how these collectors operate.”
Fiona also spoke of the profound impact some of the items have on the customers in the shop. She says: “Just today, I saw this old jewellery box which looked very similar to one I had when I was younger.
“When I looked it up, I realised the jewellery box was almost identical to one my uncle bought me decades ago. He’d just taken a trip to Hong Kong and came back with this beautiful box with a ballerina on top and a little tune each time it opened.
“I found myself getting a bit teary as it took me back to a special time in my life.”

From Donations to Impact: The Journey of Your Pre-Loved Items
As well as the hidden gems, each item donated has its own, unique backstory. From the moment it enters our doors, each item is treated with the utmost care as it makes its way onto our shelves.
Kenny said: “Each item in our store always has a backstory. Families often come in here to say they’ve got this item that they’ve had lying about which was given by a grandfather or a great grandfather.
“That is why we always take good care of the items. With the items being second-handed, you’re guaranteed that these will be the best price you can get.
“As well as the best prices on offer, each item is also economically friendly. Reselling items at a reduced cost means that you’re assured that no items are chucked in the bin when they can be reused for a new home.”
Volunteering at West Stewart Street: Making a Difference Together
All of Ardgowan Hospice’s shops are always on the lookout for new volunteers to be part of the friendly team. Volunteers are involved in a wide range of roles and day-to-day activities that support the running of each store for two hours or more a week.
On the shop floor, you could be involved with providing excellent customer service, processing transactions on the tills, replenishing stock, and putting up eye-catching displays to entice customers.
Behind the scenes, volunteers get involved with store housekeeping and administration, sorting through donations to find those hidden gems and preparing goods for sale by sorting, steaming, and pricing items.
The West Stewart Street alone has 13 volunteers in their shop, with the hope that this team can expand with more volunteers.
Kenny said: “These shops mean so much to people all across Inverclyde. For some, it is their daily trip to find the best bargains. That is why we are asking for more volunteers in these shops.
“Whether you can offer your time for just a few hours or an entire shift, every little helps to keep these shops going. You’ll meet new people, support the hospice, and make memories along the way. Come visit any of our shops if you would like to find out more about the work that we do.”
Fiona, one of the volunteers at the West Stewart Street shop says: “It is such a nice place to be. Working with other people and seeing all the weird and wonderful items that get donated by so many generous people is lovely to see.”
Another volunteer said: “I was quite unwell for some time so couldn’t come in and volunteer in this shop.
“But when I first came back after my time off, it was so nice to see everybody again. Customers would come up and ask how I was and I even got flowers from one of the customers.
“My time off really showed how important this place is to me. It’s almost an escape from the world around me to come into this shop and give back to the community.”
Community Stories: Why West Stewart Street Matters to Locals
From speaking with customers and volunteers in the shop, it was clear how much the place meant to people.
Kenny said: “You never know the story of the people who walk through our doors. That’s what makes it so special.
“These people could be searching for something to give to a friend they’re meeting for the first time in decades, or just having a nosey in one of the shops. Some of the stories we hear in these places could be the makings of a movie and it is moments like that which are priceless.”
Fiona said: “I’ve been volunteering here for 14 years and one of the main reasons I come back is seeing how much this place means to the locals.
“In other big brand shops, you’ll not get that personal touch each time you come in. But with us, we remember every face that comes in and that goes a long way.”
One of the customers in the shop said: “I visit here regularly and am never disappointed with what bargains they have. I’ve walked out of here with jewellery boxes and earrings which have eventually passed on to family members.
“But above all that, it’s become a part of my daily life. You see the same people, get served by the same staff, and never leave the place feeling like your day hasn’t got that little bit better.”
Opening Times
The West Stewart Street shop is open between 10am-3pm every day except Wednesday and Sunday when it is closed. Come along and see what hidden gems you can find!
How you can volunteer
If you’re looking for more ways to get involved, why not consider volunteering at our West Stewart Street shop? Volunteering is a rewarding way to give back to the community, meet new people, and learn new skills. Plus, every hour you give helps to keep our shop running smoothly and supports the hospice in its mission.
Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re always looking for more people to join our friendly team. Whether you have a few hours a week or can commit to a regular schedule, we’d love to hear from you.
To volunteer in this shop or any of the other shops that we have, please get in touch via email at volunteering@ardgowanhospice.org for more information.