A multi-purpose retail charity hub at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital has won a gold standard award just months after opening.
The hub was launched in December by the hospital's charity, ELHT&Me, providing a retail area for patients, visitors and colleagues as well as central office space for the charity’s volunteers and co-ordinators.
It has now been named a gold standard winner at InfraRed’s Creating Better Futures Awards, celebrating impactful projects within the InfraRed portfolio that focus on innovation, community need, collaboration and efficiency.
Head of ELHT&Me, Denise Gee, said: “We spent a lot of time considering what people might want from the charity hub and especially the retail space and as a result we have lots of items that really capture people's attention.
“That journey through the 
hospital doors can be quite traumatic but the retail space provides a break away from the clinical setting. We are over the moon with the reaction it has received so far – and the best thing is that all the profits go back into improving the patient experience.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of everyone who gave their time, skills and expertise and we are grateful that they have helped us create this exciting opportunity which will help us with our fundraising for many years to come."
The hub was made possible thanks to a collective effort and support from local businesses.
Martyn Ashcroft, Project Manager at Consort Healthcare, said: "The charity didn’t have a space within the hospital before and we had two empty retail units.
“We looked for donations, material and labour and approached our suppliers. We had electricians, mechanical engineers and builders and as soon as they heard it was for the hospital's charity they donated the materials as well.”
InfraRed, the company behind the awards, said: “This has been a fantastic demonstration of how public and private sector can collaborate together.”
The ELHT&Me hub is located in the main entrance of Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital and also online at www.elhtandme.co.uk