Hyve Group has named the Retail Trust as its charity partner for Spring and Autumn Fair. The charity will also be the Group’s Wellbeing Partner across all its UK retail shows, comprising Spring Fair, Autumn Fair, Pure, Glee and Scoop. The aim is to provide dedicated support, awareness and fundraising for the retail sector.

The two-year partnership will include offsite volunteer days, team challenges and onsite activity, kicking off at Autumn Fair on 5-8 September 2021 at Birmingham’s NEC. It will also sees the launch of the Female Founders scheme; an initiative that will offer free stands to six inspirational female founders.

 

 

From 1832, the Retail Trust has been caring for and protecting the lives of people working in retail.

Hyve Group’s UK retail division has already supported the Retail Trust’s online wellbeing event ‘For the four’ in May. Plus, in June, employees volunteered to help get the Retail Trust’s new online eBay fundraising shop up and running. They did this by sorting donated clothes, taking pictures, writing descriptions and getting images online.

All the money the online sales make will go towards running the Retail Trust’s supported-living estates. The charity provides a much-needed safe haven and happy community where over 55s can thrive, maintain their health and retain their independence.

Hyve Group will take part in fundraising activities to raise awareness and funds for the Retail Trust.

A dedicated Wellbeing section will launch on each of the event websites. This will include informative articles alongside videos that support the wellbeing of retailers and wholesalers alike. Alongside this, the Retail Trust will also be supporting the Spring Fair Female Founders initiative. Launching at Autumn Fair 2021, Female Founders is a programme to champion and celebrate inspiring female entrepreneurs.

The initiative will support the growth of six female-founded retail businesses with a free stand at Spring Fair 2021. Following this will be 12 months of business mentoring with leading female entrepreneurs. Autumn Fair in September will mark the announcement and launch of the scheme.

Commenting is Julie Driscoll, managing director, retail and fashion at Hyve Group plc. “We are absolutely thrilled to announce the Retail Trust as our Charity & Wellbeing Partner. Over the next two years, we look forward to raising much-needed funds and awareness; especially after the incredibly challenging year the retail sector and especially the independents have experienced.

“Through our shows, we are entrenched in the retail industry and fully understand the importance of listening to and understanding its needs; offering support and advice, health, and wellbeing initiatives, as well as celebrating entrepreneurship.”

 

 

Onsite wellbeing initiatives at Autumn Fair will be announced before the show.

However, they look set to include a wellbeing lounge to allow attendees to escape the busy show floor. There, they can focus on their wellbeing, including meditation sessions. Content sessions on the wellbeing services and training the Retail Trust offers as a charity will also be available.

Chief executive of the Retail Trust, Chris Brook-Carter, adds; “The Retail Trust has been creating hope, health and happiness for everyone in retail for nearly 200 years, but our cause has never been more relevant. The financial aid we provide to help people stay in their homes, feed their families, or make essential hospital visits, has doubled to more than £900,000 in the last year, and we’ve run nearly 8,000 counselling sessions.

“This support simply wouldn’t be possible without the donations the Trust receives and our valuable partnerships with organisations from across the retail industry. We’re really looking forward to joining forces with Hyve Group over the next two years as we work together to continue to raise awareness and provide vital help to those who need it.”

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