Knowsley-based Livv Investment has helped a branch of Age Concern to open three new shops in Lancashire.
Livv Investment, part of Livv Housing Group, provided financial support to help the charity expand into new areas of the county and support more vulnerable people.
Expansion of the charity’s retail operation was seen as key to enable it to expand its charitable activities and enhance its social impact.
The first of the new stores to open using the investment was in Cleveleys, in January 2020, followed by Fulwood and Calder Park in 2021.
Suzanne Carr (pictured left), chief executive of Age Concern Central Lancashire, said: “We operate eight charity shops across Lancashire, and with the support and grant from Livv Housing Group we were able to open three of those shops, marking a significant milestone in the charity’s offering.
“We’re grateful for the financial support from Livv to enable us to achieve this major milestone in our operations, which is helping to make a real difference in our communities.”
The Cleveleys shop is the first shop in the Blackpool area for the charity.
Aside from serving as a retail outlet, the shop also offers a range of support services such as Community Outreach; legal and financial planning advice, including wills; advice on energy efficiency; and free hearing health checks for customers.
The Fulwood and Calder Park stores are located for customers to shop and make donations, which are sold locally, as well as supplying Age Concern Central Lancashire’s e-commerce store, allowing the charity to maximise sales by selling more specialist items online.
Howard Roberts (pictured right), executive director of Finance, Risk, and Performance at Livv, added: “Age Concern Central Lancashire has been delivering essential services for decades, working with older people in the community while their stores create valuable volunteering and employment opportunities as well as raising crucial funding.
“We’re delighted to have been able to support the opening of three more stores around Lancashire, bringing these services to new areas and enabling the charity to continue its expansion.”
Age Concern Central Lancashire has 40 years of experience in helping people with memory concerns and dementia.
The charity provides legal and financial services among a range of wider support designed to promote positive and healthy ageing.
Charity shops support many of its services, including the bespoke Dementia Day Centres that emphasise focused activity, social interaction, and help to maintain daily living skills through a wide range of therapeutic activity programmes and innovative approaches.
Offering support, guidance, and compassion to their family and carers through various groups and activities, Age Concern Central Lancashire extends its awareness of improving dementia standards in its communities through a tailored ‘Dementia Workshop’ training programme, which had been delivered to several businesses and carer groups within Lancashire.
Image: The Age Concern shop in Calder Park
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