Charity shops UK: How to apply to be a volunteer, and what items you can donate

Oxfam shop on British street — Can you donate to and volunteer at your local charity shop? (Picture: Getty)

Having a post-lockdown clear out and sitting on tons of clothes, DVDs and knick-knacks to donate?

Maybe you’re keen to find a few new, forgotten gems? Or perhaps you’re looking to volunteer some time – given that it’s Volunteers’ Week – and a charity shop job would be ideal?

Find out if charity shops in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are fully open yet – and if they are accepting donations.

Plus find out how to apply to be a volunteer at Oxfam, British Heart Foundation or any of your local shops…

Are charity shops open in the UK?

Yep, most charity shops in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should be open.

Charity shops Scope and British Heart Foundation (Picture: Getty)

This includes some of the most popular shops: Oxfam, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Age UK, Mind and countless others.

Exact opening times vary by shop, though – so check your local store’s website for further information.

In addition, each shop will likely only be allowed a small amount of customers in at any one time, to maintain social distancing.

You’ll also need to wear a face covering like you do in other stores – unless you’re exempt.

Shopping Second Hand — Like to secondhand shop? Good news: charity shops have reopened (Picture: Getty)

In England and Wales, most charity shops have been open since April 12. In Scotland, it was April 26. And in Northern Ireland, they started to reopen on April 30.

Do charity shops want donations right now?

Yes, most shops will be accepting donations.

The easiest way to find out what your local store needs is by looking on their website, social media or at their shopfront.

Oxfam’s website says it is open to donations – and you can still donate clothing by post.

British Heart Foundation, Age UK and Sue Ryder, to name a few, are also after donations.

England's Businesses Reopen As Coronavirus Restrictions Ease — There may be queues to enter certain charity shops (Picture: Julian Finney/Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Some charities like PDSA, a charity devoted to helping sick animals, are accepting in-store donations, but can’t arrange collection on big furniture items.

Often, desired donations include clothes, shoes, books, DVDs, jewellery and accessories, toys, phones, furniture and bric-a-brac (think those little trinkets you see on the shelves).

These items should be of a decent quality, though – or else they won’t sell, and they won’t make the charity any money.

Things shops don’t usually want include: items that require a mains plug, dirty or broken items, school uniforms with logos on, or anything unhygienic (such as old make-up or medical supplies).

How to volunteer at your local charity shop

Donating is a great way to support your local charity shop – but if you want to volunteer some time, that’s great too.

Woman holding cardboard donation box full with folded clothes. — Sorting through donations as a volunteer is a great way to help your local charity shop (Picture: Getty)

Tasks can include welcoming people in to the store, sorting through donations, keeping the shop floor tidy, working on the till or promoting the shop through its social media channels.

Here’s how you can register your interest in volunteering in the UK’s most prominent charity shops…