Quite understandably many charity shops have not re-opened yet either because they cannot meet the government guidelines on safe shopping during the virus pandemic, or because their volunteers are older and probably more vulnerable to the virus.
Nevertheless, second-hand clothing seems particular popular in Thursday’s market in Rye, as many in the local community have little money to spare and a recent survey shows shoppers in the South East expected to shop second-hand, to both save money and support those in need following the pandemic.
And charity shops could be vital to the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic by helping people save money, shop sustainably and fund charitable services, according to a new survey.
The survey commissioned by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) showed that nearly one in three adults in the South East (32%) feel that charity shops are more important to society following Covid-19, while over four in ten (41%) agree that being sustainable and thinking about the environment when they shop is more important than before.
Getting and giving
Of those who think charity shops will be more important for society:
- Over three quarters (79%) say it’s because charity shops provide affordable items to those with financial concerns.
- Over three in five (68%) say it’s because they raise funds for charitable causes at a time many of these causes are in high demand.
- Over half (56%) say charity shops are vital because they prevent items from being thrown away.
- Just over four in ten (41%) respondents say they provide jobs and volunteering opportunities in community at a time the UK is facing recession.
Last year alone, thanks to the generosity of donations to their shops, the BHF helped re-use an incredible 71,000 tonnes of items and prevented 135,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from being released into the atmosphere. The BHF say the Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the benefits charity shops bring to the economy and consumers, from saving people money, to preventing items going to waste and funding causes that have given vital support to people during this time.
The charity hopes its shops will be a first stop for those wanting to declutter and donate as people are more conscious of these benefits than ever.
Allison Swaine-Hughes, Retail Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “This pandemic has been devastating for so many of us and the reopening of charity shops is going to be vital for millions as we look to recover. Charity shops provide high quality items at affordable prices, power charitable services that have never been more in demand, re-use thousands of tonnes of items and provide a community space for so many volunteers and customers.” To find your local BHF shop visit: www.bhf.org.uk/shop.
Let us hope that our charity shops can re-open as soon as possible by finding ways to meet the government regulations and perhaps recruiting some younger volunteers.
Source: British Heart Foundation press release