The decision to donate second hand furniture is a brilliant step to take if you can’t sell your used furniture, or would like to make a difference. Reduce the huge amount of furniture going to landfill and help those less fortunate. The sad statistics speak for themselves – see our post:
How to Sell Second Hand Furniture
Donations help. The British Heart Foundation alone has been able to save 70,000 tonnes of goods items from going to the landfill each year.
What charities accept donations of used furniture near me?
Many British charities have large shops that sell and accept donations of furniture.
Charity Retail Association website has a tool where you can find charity shops and what they sell by postcode.
Shops that sell furniture may also have a free collection service for the furniture donations. You can find out more and book the collection on the charity websites below, or by calling the charity shops selling furniture near you.
Below we’ll walkthrough the furniture collection services from major charities.
Checklist for a successful charity shop furniture collection
- Understandably, charities ask to ensure that second hand furniture items we are donating are sellable. This means that donated items should have no obvious stains, rips, marks or smells. Electrical items must work. All parts must be in place, with no missing doors or drawers.
- Charity sofa collection: upholstered furniture needs to have a fire safety label. Upholstered furniture include sofas, mattresses and padded dining chairs. Upholstered pieces can’t have rips or tears that expose the inner fabric, as this means they no longer meets fire safety standards.
- Ensure drivers can remove items from the property without causing damage to either the item or property. Drivers cannot remove doors or windows for access.
- Dismantle large items such as bed frames. Drivers do not offer a disassembly service.
- Drivers will check items on arrival to ensure they are suitable for sale.
What charities can collect furniture from my home?
British Heart Foundation
- British Heart Foundation funds £100 million of research each year into heart diseases, stroke, dementia and diabetes. They ensure 70% of donations go towards this research.
- In the UK BHF has the largest retail network, with 730 charity stores. List of their shops, including the list of approximately 180 shops selling furniture and electrical is here.
- BFH can pick up furniture and electrical items from your home for free.
- Would they collect second-hand furniture near me? You can check if they cover your post code and request the free pick up using this form on their website.
- BHF also offers hotel furniture clearance service and a complete House Clearance. This service costs between £400 and £900.
Barnardo’s
- Barnardo’s is the largest British children’s charity and the second largest network of local shops with over 600 shops.
- Selected stores can collect used furniture free of charge. Elsewhere, Barnardo’s has teamed up with TaskRabbit to offer a UK-wide collection service.
- Once you booked the pick-up, TaskRabbit will pick them your second-hand items and deliver to your Barnardo’s store. You can book your unwanted furniture collection and see a full list of stores here.
Oxfam
- Oxfam is tackling poverty. Oxfam has a network of over 500 stores.
- Oxfam accepts furniture donations, and they offer free collections. They will not accept the electrical items that run off the mains. They will also not accept white goods – e.g. cookers and washing machines.
- You can check if collection is available for your postcode and book the collection here.
Cancer Research UK
- Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity.
- In the UK it operates a network of over 600 shops. 28 superstores across the UK are stocking furniture. Do they sell second hand furniture near me? Check the list of their stores selling furniture here.
- Participating superstores will collect furniture. Use this form.
- In Bristol, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Salford, Swansea, Swindon and Torquay, Cancer Research UK partnered with Boxmove. Their drivers will be in uniform, with ID cards and branded vehicles. You can arrange a Boxmove collection using this form.
Sue Ryder
- Sue Ryder offers support to people with terminal conditions, neurological diseases and provide bereavement support.
- Sue Ryder charity shops take electrical items
- Sue Ryder runs a network of over 400 shops. 10 of their shops sell furniture, the list is here. You can check if there is a shop near you.
- The charity will accept small electrical items and most furniture from sofas to tables. They will not accept fridges, washing machines, and any mattresses without the bedframe. The full list of items they will accept is here.
- You can check if they can collect in your postcode, provide the details of your donations, and organise a free pick up. You can also call their National Furniture Line on call 0333 0031883.
Age UK
- Age UK provide services and support to older people. They operate a network of more than 250 charity shops selling a wide range of bric-à-brac. The full list of shops is here.
- Do they sell second-hand furniture near me? Please check the list of their18 furniture charity shops here.
- Call them on 01362 694 596 to arrange a free collection of your large unwanted items, or fill out the form.
British Red Cross
- British Red Cross is a worldwide humanitarian charity, funding emergency response.
- Red Cross runs 300 charity shops across the UK. Find your nearest shop here.
- They accept second-hand furniture donations in 17 of their specialist furniture shops.
- You can donate second hand furniture, including a second-hand sofa, armchair, TV or lamp. They particularly need TVs, media players, including DVDs, Xbox, PlayStation games consoles and lamps. Some of their shops can accept fridges, washing machines and dishwasher.
- Some of Red Cross shops can collect your furniture from your home. Please call their specialist furniture shops to check.
Salvation Army
- Salvation Army provides food, shelter, and services to the older people, the young, offenders, blind and disabled people.
- Salvation Army runs over 400 shops. The list of their shops is here.
- Most of their shops will take small portable or occasional furniture items. Please call ahead to check before you visit the shop to donate your items
- Luton and in Glasgow are the two big charity shops that collect and sell large furniture. Both shops have collectors and vans who can arrange collection of larger donations.
- A growing number of shops are able to test electrical items safely. Please call ahead to check if your nearest one will be able to accept electrical items.
Emmaus
- Emmaus is a homelessness charity with a difference. They don’t just give people a bed for the night; they offer a home, meaningful work & a sense of belonging.
- Emmaus shop accept furniture and may be able to upcycle items that are a little battered. Contact your local Emmaus shop to learn more about what they accept and their collection services.
- Emmaus operates in 28 communities in the UK. List of their secondhand shops is here.
Debra
- DEBRA is a national charity supporting individuals and the families of those affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa, an extremely painful genetic skin condition.
- DEBRA offers free collection by their furniture and electrical shops. You can donate your second hand furniture and book your furniture collection here.
- They will not accept fridges and freezers, washing machines and tumble dryers, pianos, large exercise equipment and commodes.
- DEBRA operates 100 charity stores. The list of their charity shops is here.
Shelter
- Homeless charity Shelter offers a number of furniture collections services from your home.
- The charity offers a full house clearance service (chargeable) and a partial house clearance, which is free. Both are available within a 25-mile radius of their eight furniture shops across the country. Charity furniture collection is free.
- These charity shops take electrical goods and furniture in good condition.
- Call to enquire about a full or partial clearance service. The Clearance Service team will then visit and will pick up all good quality items for free.
- Shelter operates 100 charity stores. The list of their charity shops near you is here.
Kennet Furniture Refurbiz
- Kennet Furniture Refurbiz is a small charity in Wiltshire. They refurbish furniture and white goods to make them available to households with limited income. They are in particular need of electric cookers, working refrigerators, tumble dryers, washing machines and small electricals.
- Large appliances such as flat screen TVs and furniture, chests of drawers, beds, wardrobes, sofas, tables are also needed.
- To donate your second hand furniture, contact the charity to discuss the items and arrange for collection – their address is here. Charity shop sofa and other furniture collections are free of charge.
As these examples illustrate, the decision to donate second hand furniture to charities is more than just ‘doing the right thing’. By extending the life of your pre-loved items, you’re reducing waste. And helping charities do their work on transforming lives, fostering community and shared humanity. And contributing to a more sustainable and compassionate world.
Keep good things going!