What do charity shops want?

[Emergencycake]

I have been having a bit of a clear out and found some bikinis that will very unlikely ever fit me again, and that got me wondering would it be ok to donate them, or is that a no no?

Any advice on that and other items would be helpful. Thanks

My friend works at a charity shop and told me that the Manageress takes things home and doesnt put any money in. This has put me off donating stuff I must admit

elspeth your friend should report the Manager then, I appreciate it’s not easy but all Charity shops (unless independent ones) will have an audit department or similar and your friend can make an anonymous call.

I have to make it very clear to my volunteers that if there is anything that they are not happy about and they don’t feel they can raise it with me there are central numbers they can contact and I have to display these numbers clearly on the volunteer notice board.

Icm

Not strictly about charity shops but related in terms of recycling stuff, does anyone know of anywhere where bits of paint tins can go?

I live in South London and have looked and looked on Google but only found a tip in a different brought that will accept ends of paint, but only if you live in that borough...

You need to look for a community re-use project for things like paint. I don't think there's one overall body which manages it across the UK. The town we used to live in had a centre which would take things like part tins of paint, odd rolls of wallpaper and fabric and sell them off very cheaply.

In France they have wooden book boxes on legs in many towns. You donate books or take books out all free. Brilliant idea.

That's a great idea, I wish we had that here.

We used to be able to take books into work and put them in a bookcase in the big kitchen/staff room, but it got to the point where the number of books got so huge, we had to stop taking them in.

I have't found charity shops in my area refusing books, thankfully, I take loads as I am a voracious reader with not much space to keep them.

In France they have wooden book boxes on legs in many towns. You donate books or take books out all free. Brilliant idea.

I've seen these a lot in the US on pinterest. They're fab, particularly with library services ever diminishing. Perhaps we should start MN rogue erections.

In the village where I grew up (Lancashire), the old red phone box is now used as a book exchange. Seems to work well.

elspeth that is what I said before but apparently it doesn't happen.

It has happened in several shops, not the large 'chains' but the ones with only one or maybe not more than 3 shops. I know there are places where items have to be on sale before the staff can buy but these are not those.

I don't think reporting made any difference, it is accepted that volunteers should get something for giving their time so not considered theft in some shops. Not really volunteering, but working for goods donated to the charity. I am tired of seeing it happen but nothing more I can do.

In France they have wooden book boxes on legs in many towns. You donate books or take books out all free. Brilliant idea

Our local Tesco has one of these. Just a wee bookshelf by the exit labelled as a community library. Donations box on top to put in what you think .

Funny how the people who think all volunteers are leaving their shift with their pockets laden with donated goods are mostly going off second hand "my friend told me" anecdotes. Those of us who actually do volunteer are saying different. Again. Not saying it doesn't happen as it does. But any large chain (so your Oxfam, Cancert Research, Shelter, Marie Curie, Barnardos, BHF) will have policies and procedures.

If the local "Donna's Donkey Sanctuary" shop run by Donna, her mum and teenage son choose not to put those measures in place then more fool them. Just shows up how unprofessional they are in a whole lot of ways.

What is grinding my gears - and those of other volunteers and paid staff - is your blanket statement that everyone is at it and that we're all light-fingered and just there for the freebies. That's so far from the truth.

Thanks @PineappleDanish, doesn’t seem to be anything similar to that. Just feel so bad to throw away good paint!

Perhaps we should start MN rogue erections

Does anyone know if old lonely planet guides, from 10+ years ago would sell (or more recent ones as well)?

NO they wouldn't. But you can ask the shop to recycle them.

I’m in south London. Our local authority tip takes tins of paint for community projects. Maybe check on your council’s website?

Sorry, now I’ve read your post properly I see you’ve already done that - although there are two in south London (Richmond and Southwark). Do you have a local forum you could post on? Someone might be happy to take it off your hands for a community project. I’ve 3en seen people selling leftover paint on mine.

Your library may take books. Ours does. Small volunteer run libraries like the ones within community centres are also likely to ime.