To ask if any charities will take second hand household items?

[that1970shouse]

I'm clearing a relative's house and it seems awful to send things like crockery, cutlery, pans etc. to landfill. I've contacted a local group who work with refugees and they only want donations of cash or new items not second hand.

Do you know any organisations who will take them? I mean definitely know, not "why don't you try x" - I've only got this week to clear the place so I don't have time for any wild goose chases.

Furniture is all sorted except beds; how do I dispose of those?

@PinkiOcelot refugees have left their whole life behind. I imagine it would then be pretty soul destroying to go through all that and then be given some privileged persons cast offs tbh so I can understand them only requesting new.

Emmaus or Freecycle would be my suggestions. Maybe British Heart Foundation

British heart foundation took beds sofa and white goods. Local charity shop took crockery pans etc and a homeless shelter took bedding and towels.

A local charity may have a centralised "warehouse" where you can take donations - and they then distribute them out to their various shops. There used to be one here. Easy to park at and they'd come out and unload the car as well!!

And you may have a local charity that specialises in in doing up old furniture for people in need. They combine teaching some people a trade and gifting / selling items to people who have little or no money.

Like the Keighley Furniture Project

There is a charity in our area called Refurnish which then sells on the furniture etc to low income families. I think they cover a number of areas in the country.

Our local refugee collection is taking second hand bits. How odd to be so choosey.

@romdowa

Does it have to be a charity or do you just need rid? We've a local Facebook group where people post things they are giving away for free and things never hang around long.

The main reason is lack of time. I can't sit around waiting for lots of people who just want a couple of items each. Also I've previously found people are very unreliable.

All our local charity shops take crockery, pans etc. Some ( I think Age Uk ) also take electrical items. i think the British heart foundation will also take electrical items. I try to buy items like this from charity shops, got a great egg poacher a couple of weeks ago, looks antiquated but who cares?

Can't you phone local charity shops in your area? That would be your best bet because I could recommend BHF for example as they took furniture etc from us. However, your BHF might not be currently taking furniture. Nobody on here can recommend anywhere where you are 100%.

@PinkiOcelot because people may well/do give dirty junk & they don't have time/space/people to sort this out & by the by some good quality second hand stuff has been accepted from one refugee site I have read of recently

@PinkiOcelot shades of undeserving poor creeping in with that comment -not nice

Some local auction houses do house clearance sales. Obviously they take commission, not sure what they do with stuff that doesn’t sell

Totally off topic, but can’t understand why charities for refugees will only take new stuff! Bit of a disgrace really.

It's not really a disgrace not when you really think about it

Op if you are pushed for time a house clearance would be your best bet.

@mumwon I didn't get any shades of undeserving poor from PinkiOcelot's comment. Mqny people are kind enough to want to help but they can't always afford to donate cash. And very often second hand items are not junk. Most adults know the difference between unusable junk and items with life left in them.

I like to reuse and repurpose so maybe I'm atypical but personally if I had nothing a charity had a choice between spending its money on essentials like food, washing powder , toothpaste , paracetamol- I'd rather the latter was new, and my household items were preloved.

OP, if you are pressed for time then pay for an actual house clearance service. It will save you so much hassle and probably save you money.

Some areas have charities for people who are struggling to get back on their feet the county we used to live in had the reuse network. Salvation Army also help people furnish and kit out their homes as well as having charity shops. Also, might be worth contacting local council to see if they have a linked charity or project that supplies people with good quality second hard household goods

Almost any charity shop will take stuff like plates and mugs. Not all take electricals, and only a few take furniture (try BHF and Shelter).

Apply the rule of thumb that if you wouldn't buy it, don't donate it.

@that1970shouse Zarach

refugees have left their whole life behind. I imagine it would then be pretty soul destroying to go through all that and then be given some privileged persons cast offs tbh so I can understand them only requesting new.

Privileged persons cast off's what an odd thing to say. I imagine they would be grateful.

My local FB group have people collecting stuff like that for homeless people who have just been rehomed.

@PennyWus I agree! People always seem to take offence on here!!

@Mrsjayy

Totally off topic, but can’t understand why charities for refugees will only take new stuff! Bit of a disgrace really.

It's not really a disgrace not when you really think about it

My god, how horrible. It's a disgrace that you have to flee for your life leaving your home, job, entire life behind and land in a foreign country with NOTHING but the clothes on your back. Why should refugees be given old cast off's? As if life isn't going to be tough enough for them already. At least allow them some dignity.

British Heart Foundation have furniture shops.