If you’re reading this article, then it’s likely that you’re about to embark on a clear-out for your home, or maybe you’ve already finished. Either way, it’s nice to have an idea of what you can do with the belongings that you decide to get rid of. In this blog, we’re answering the question, what can you donate to charity shops?
Deciding to clear out your home is a good idea, as it’s normal for things to build up until you find yourself having little space for anything! Some people find that using a one-in, one-out rule is useful as it helps them to stay in control of their belongings.
If you’ve not started organising your belongings yet, then it’s a good idea to have three piles. One is for things you intend to keep, one is for things that need to be thrown away, and one is for things that are suitable for donation. Read our blog on how to declutter and donate. Let’s take a look at what type of items you can include in your charity donation pile.
What can I donate to Regenerage charity shops?
There are so many items that can be donated to our charity shops. When you make a donation, it’s a great idea to Gift Aid it, if you can.
Gift Aid means that for every £1 donated, we receive an additional 25 pence from HMRC. If you’re donating items, Gift Aid means that we can claim an extra 25% back based on what the item sells for.
Clothing
Clothing is one of the most commonly donated items to our charity shops. The clothes often have plenty of life left in them and might even be new with tags! We love the idea of clothes having a second life, and who knows, they might go on to have even more!
At our Regenerage stores, we have a fantastic team of volunteers who are keen to get clothing ready for the next owner. We take care of steaming all clothing to ensure that it looks its best!
We accept a wide range of clothing and even have a designer section within our Regenerage Superstore at Middlebrook Retail Park.
Additionally, we also accept all bridal and wedding outfits. If you visit our charity superstore, you’ll be in awe at the number of stunning wedding dresses we have available.
You can donate clothing, shoes, bags, accessories and jewellery. We also have a gorgeous selection of prom dresses in Bolton.
Furniture
We accept many furniture items, from sofas and wardrobes to tables. It’s not uncommon for us to have entire furniture sets donated, which is great for someone looking to kit out a new space.
Please note that we only sell brand-new white goods and cannot accept donations of used white goods.
Books and jigsaws
Books and jigsaws are a great addition to our stores. It’s great when we have a wide selection of both that are suitable for different age ranges. Many people come into our stores to find donated items such as these.
You can also donate CDs, DVDs and vinyls to our stores.
Children’s toys
It’s normal for children to grow out of toys and games, and what better way to get rid of them than to pass them on to someone else? We accept all children’s toys and soft toys as long as they have a CE or UKCA marking on them for safety.
Unwanted items or gifts
Have you been given a gift that you aren’t too fussed about? You could either pass it on to someone else or donate it to a Regenerage charity shop. This can include beauty gifts or toiletries, but they must be brand new and unused for us to be able to accept them.
We also accept the following.
- Games
- Antique items
- Homeware
- Soft furnishings – rugs, linen and curtains
- Knitted blankets
- Electrical items (small items only, not white goods)
What items can’t be donated to Regenerage stores?
- Pre-loved items we cannot accept at this time for safety reasons…
- Upholstered furniture without a fire label (unless pre-1950s)
- Soiled/dirty mattresses
- Roller or venetian blinds (unless in original packaging with safety instructions included)
- Donated furniture with unsafe, missing parts, or damage
- White Goods (e.g. washing machines)
How do charity donations help us?
At Regenerage, we are passionate about helping older people to live and age well in the North West. We achieve this in a number of ways, including our charity stores and our excellent activity centres. Your donated items help us raise vital funds to support many individuals.
We are often looking for volunteers to help us on our mission. Find out more about volunteering with Regenerage.
How do I dispose of items correctly?
There may be some items that you cannot donate. In this case, you will need to dispose of the items correctly. Check your local recycling rules for these items.
You might even find that you can sell items that you no longer want. Read our blog on how to prepare items for the charity shop.
Where can I donate to Regenerage?
Dropping items off with us at our Middlebrook Store couldn’t be easier, as we have plenty of space for parking. We also offer free furniture collection from homes within a 12-mile radius.
We have a number of stores located across the North West. Find your local store here.
- Regenerage Middlebrook Charity Superstore – 01204 201389
- Bamber Bridge, Preston – 01772 629504
- Buckshaw Village, Chorley – 01772 347011
- Calder Park, Chorley – 01257 445400
- Chorley, Preston – 01257 273440
- Fulwood, Preston – 01772 269178
- Leyland, Preston – 01772 422812
- Occasions Preston – 01772 552875
We hope this blog has been helpful regarding what you can donate to charity shops. We are so grateful to the local community for donating quality items to our stores across the North West.
