Media Release - Cocoon Co-Op Store & Studio
When: 12:00am
Albany Community Hospice is excited to announce the establishment of Cocoon Co-op Store & Studio, a cashless retail store for upcycling, recycling and design of old and new items such as clothing, homewares and gifts.
Cocoon Store & Studio will engage art and design students from local high schools and Southern Regional TAFE with all products made to be sold in the Cocoon Store or online through the Cocoon website, Instagram, Facebook and eBay. All proceeds will go towards Hospice, just like Butterflies has done for over 25 years. Cocoon staff and students will utilise items from Butterflies Op Shop and other donations to re-design and sell on, also known as ‘thrift flip’.
Cocoon will coordinate a donation basket scheme, providing baskets to local businesses and organisations which can be collected once they are full. Volunteer mentors will be present at the Cocoon Store and Studio for a few hours each day as instructors and business advisers to our many young artists. There has already been considerable interest from local business people, seamstresses, bakers, teachers and a range of consultants. South Regional TAFE, local high school and community service students have contributed many hours to help with the fit-out of the shop.
This innovative concept was presented to the Board of Albany Community Hospice by local designer, Samantha Burchett. The Board undertook considerable planning of this venture and are optimistic that it will contribute to providing a sustainable source of income for the long term financial viability of the Hospice.
The Cocoon Project aims to:
- raise funds in a sustainable way for our community Hospice;
- reduce waste, both at Butterflies and in the community by promoting recycling and upcycling; and
- provide opportunities for talented and creative people, both young and old, to have their skills recognised, and to help them ‘get on their feet’ as professional artists, designers etc.
Board Chairperson, Jane Mouritz is thrilled about the project commenting that: “There are so many creative ideas that Sam and her students have come up with, that I can’t begin to describe them all….it will be innovative, exciting, surprising and hopefully amazing as an ongoing fundraiser for Hospice.”
Cocoon will be officially opened by the Hon Peter Watson MLA on Saturday 1st December at 12pm. The Cocoon Store & Studio is located in the premises adjacent to our current Butterflies Op Shop in Middleton Loop and will be open 6 days a week, with special openings when events are being held in the town.
Albany Community Hospice sincerely thanks all the people that have generously contributed to this project so far and looks forward to the support of the community in this new and exciting venture.
For further information, please contact Jane Mouritz on 0427 807 047 or email chair@albanyhospice.org.au
Albany Community Hospice – 15 November 2018