Although our Isabel Hospice shops have only recently been allowed to reopen, we are incredibly grateful to all those who continued to support us during the lockdowns by donating goods to sell.
On average, our retail team sorted 2,000 bags of donations a week at the height of the pandemic, with each bag containing about 15 items. That is a whopping 30,000 items every week!
But while we are truly appreciative of everyone who kindly continues to give us their unwanted and unused goods, we have unfortunately seen an increase in the amount of dirty or damaged items donated to our charity, which we are unable to sell. These donations are either sold to the rag trade for a few pence per item, or end up going to landfill, at a cost to our charity of a staggering £70,000 a year.
Our Chief Executive Helen Glenister recently spent a morning at our donation centre in Welwyn Garden City to see first-hand the huge volume of things that come in and the enormous effort that goes into sorting every single item received.
Our retail operations manager Leila Clarke said: “The coronavirus pandemic has been disastrous for our shops, resulting in a significant shortfall in the vital income they help to generate to fund our specialist services, so we are so thankful for those who have continued to think of Isabel Hospice during this really difficult time.
“But unfortunately, we have seen an increase in the number of items which we cannot sell either because they are dirty or damaged. When we’re talking about upwards of 30,000 items to be sorted each week, that is a lot of time we are spending going through people’s broken and damaged things.
“On any given day, it is not unusual for our retail team to fill three to four wheelie bins with items that have no value to our charity, but cost us to dispose of. That’s vital funds that could be paying for our care, especially at a time when we are looking to expand our services for the people of eastern Hertfordshire.”
Warehouse manager Wendy Harper added: “I think most people would be shocked at some of the things that pass through our warehouse. Staff sort by hand, so firstly it is a health and safety issue when they are handling dirty or broken items.
“Secondly, we have no means to wash or clean things, so if you send in a stained t-shirt it will go straight to rag or in the bin. If you donate a plant pot that is grimy and dirty it will have to be thrown away. We inspect every item we receive and that all takes time and money.”
Unsellable items that have been donated to us have included dirty highchairs and potties, stained and ripped clothing, broken toys, chipped crockery and glassware, burnt saucepans and even a bin bag of household waste.
Leila added: “We all like to think that the things we no longer want or need still have value to someone – and as we constantly need to replenish our stock it is crucial that people keep on donating to the Hospice. However, we are operating in a highly competitive market these days, so for our shops to continue to compete against the high street chains we must continually raise the quality of the items we stock and sell.
“So, we are urging people to please keep donating but think before you give and be mindful of what you are sending in to us. If you wouldn’t pass it onto a friend or relative, or if you wouldn’t buy it yourself, then it is probably something we would not be able to resell either.”
We are currently in particular need of electrical goods, such as music players and games consoles, plus vintage items and collectables.
Visit our donating goods page find out what items we can and cannot accept as well as our shop locations, opening times and details on how you can donate.
