FAQs - Donating to charity shops
- How can I make a donation to a charity shop?
- I have an unusual item. Will a charity shop take it?
- Will a charity shop collect from my home or office?
Use our database to find your local charity shop; alternatively, you can have a look on the high street or use the Red Pages. Some charities' websites contain listings of shop locations. At most charity shops you simply have to bring your donation to the shop, but you should call the shop first and check before bringing in any large item such as furniture (to make sure they have space) or electrical appliances (to make sure that the shop has a qualified technician to test the goods). If there are no charity shops near you who can accept your furniture/electrical donations, contact the Furniture Reuse Network: their member organisations may be able to help. Charity shops also collect cash donations for their parent charities.
5 things you should think about when giving to a charity shop
It is a good idea to phone or call into a shop, to check whether they can accept your goods. Contact details can be found through our Find A Shop database. Below is a list of suggested recipients for certain unusual goods.
Bicycles: large Oxfam shops may accept bicycles, otherwise contact Re-cycle (www.re-cycle.org) who send second-hand bikes to Africa.
Computers: give to Computeraid International (www.computeraid.org), Computers for African Schools (www.cfas.org.uk), Donate a PC (www.donateapc.org.uk) or IT specialists in the Furniture Reuse Network (www.frn.org.uk).
Food (non-perishable): give to Global Hand (www.globalhand.org), who can also take goods as varied as relief supplies, vehicles, textbooks, construction equipment and boats.
Medical equipment: give to Mercy Ships (www.mercyships.org.uk).
Sewing machines: give to Tools for Self Reliance (www.tfsr.org).
Spectacles: many opticians run charity programmes with second-hand glasses, including Dolland & Aitchison (www.danda.co.uk), Eyesite (www.eyesiteonline.co.uk), Vision Express (www.visionexpress.com).
Tools: Tools for bicycle repairs, blacksmiths, carpenters, engineers, mechanics, and shoe repairs are all welcomed by Tools for Self Reliance (www.tfsr.org).
Some charity shops are able to collect donations from you, for example if your donation is large. However, a charity shop's capacity to be able to do this varies widely and we recommend that you contact the shop first to check. Our Find a Charity Shop database signifies where a collection may, may not, or possibly
You can also utilise charity house-to-house collection sacks that may appear through your front door. If you take this route we advise that you make sure the sack you fill is going to a registered charity, preferably with the Code of Charity Retailing logo on the sack. Please see our section on bogus collectors for more information.