Hospice of the Good Shepherd shops receive national accolade after staff training at Cheshire Oaks Retail Academy

THE Hospice of the Good Shepherd has become the first charity in the UK to achieve WorldHost Recognition Status for its high street retail shops.

The accolade comes after a group of managers and staff completed the WorldHost customer service training through the Cheshire Oaks Retail Academy (CORA).

WorldHost, an internationally recognised training programme, was launched in October last year through Skillsmart Retail and the National Skills Academy for Retail.

Steve Bridge, from CORA, which was set up by West Cheshire College and The McArthurGlen Group, said: “A retailer needs to put 50% of their front-line staff through the WorldHost training before applying to have WorldHost Recognition Status.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd and recognises how far the charity retail sector has come over the years in terms of delivering excellent customer service.”

The hospice has seven shops located across the Cheshire West area, and currently generates in excess of £500,000 from retail sales, with 80p from every £1 going toward patient care.

Honora Crisp, promotions and retail manager at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, said: “We are so proud to have achieved this recognition.

“We are known as the centre of excellence locally for care and therefore it’s important for us that all parts of the business, including our retail shops, reflect this excellence.”

For more information about WorldHost training through CORA and when courses are running, call West Cheshire College on 01244 656499.