A Worcestershire-based hospice is launching an audience research study to see what people think about their charity shops.

St Richard's Hospice has 17 charity shops across the county - welcoming more than 300,000 customers last year.

The shops also play a role in generating essential profit to support the hospice’s work.

The study, conducted in collaboration with HemingwayDesign, aims to future-proof this vital source of income for the charity and identify opportunities for improvement.

HemingwayDesign, a multi-disciplinary design agency, brings its experience and expertise in the second-hand and charity sectors to the collaboration.

The agency's co-founder, Wayne Hemingway, began his entrepreneurial journey more than four decades ago by selling second-hand clothes.

The survey is currently live and will run for just over two weeks, closing on Sunday, July 23.

Mike Wilkerson, chief executive of St Richard’s Hospice, said: “Our 17 charity shops are such an important part of who we are here at St Richard’s and how we help to fund the care we provide free of charge to those who need us.

“We’d love the community to get behind this survey by giving us their thoughts and sharing the link with friends and family so we can future-proof this area of our income in an increasingly challenging fundraising climate.”

Wayne Hemingway MBE, partner at HemingwayDesign, added: “We are thrilled to be working with St Richard's Hospice on this research study. Understanding the shopping habits of communities across Worcestershire will contribute to the growth and development of the hospice’s charity shops, ensuring they remain vibrant and responsive community assets.

“At HemingwayDesign, we’ve worked across a whole series of town centre visioning, regeneration and urban design projects. Charities are the bedrock of our town centres. They work simultaneously to improve a multitude of crises facing our country, and planet. And as the cost-of-living crisis worsens, they are a lifeline to many.

“The value of charity retail extends far beyond its economic contribution. We can credit charity shops with tackling our planet-damaging habit of fast-fashion, it’s one of the best examples of the circular green economy at scale.”

Visit www.charityshopsurvey.co.uk to take the survey.

The online survey will be supplemented by face-to-face interviews in selected stores over the coming weeks.