Make a difference
People like you help us every day through regular donations
Read stories DonateIn today's consumer-driven world, it's easy to accumulate more belongings than we need. Yet, while we might find ourselves with excess items, others in our community are in need. Donating your unwanted items to St Helena Charity Shops in Colchester and north east Essex can have a profound impact on the lives of others. Here’s why your contributions are essential and how you and your family can get involved, especially during the summer holidays.
Supporting Hospice Care
St Helena charity shops are vital in funding specialist palliative and end of life care for local people in north east Essex facing incurable illness and bereavement. When you donate items, they are sold to generate funds that enable us to continue providing compassionate, dignified care.
Emma shares her experience of when her mum was cared for at the hospice in 2016:
“Everybody is different, and everybody needs different things, but the universal thing is that the hospice will help regardless of what you need. If you need emotional support, then they were great at that. If you need it to be a place of laughter and enjoyment with your loved one, then you can have that. That's what my mum needed but equally when it was coming to the end and we needed support and help and a shoulder to cry on, it was that as well.”
Every quality donation, large or small, can make a big difference, giving more local people dignity and choice at the end of life. We truly rely on donations from our local community to help fund the specialist care we provide, through our sales in our 24 shops.
Environmental benefits
By donating instead of discarding, you also help the environment. Reducing landfill waste and promoting the reuse of items conserves resources and reduces pollution. It’s a simple yet effective way to practice sustainability and contribute to a healthier planet. Can you go green and promote a sustainable way to live by donating a few items you no longer need? Buying pre-loved and giving clothes, furniture or even toys a new lease of life is the perfect way to help the environment - as well as picking up a bargain!
Community support
Donations to St Helena charity shops support the entire community. Affordable, quality items become available to those who might not have the means to purchase them new. This helps build a strong sense of community and ensures that essential goods are accessible to everyone.
Make it a family activity
Summer holidays are the perfect time for a clear out. With the kids at home, it’s an excellent opportunity to involve them in a meaningful activity. Encourage them to sort through their toys and games, selecting items they no longer play with. This not only helps in decluttering but also teaches valuable lessons about sharing and helping others. If you donate the items to our donation centres, you can even pop into our coffee shops nearby where you can have a well-deserved coffee and sweet treat, and your little one can enjoy browsing other new toys and books on offer.
Room for new adventures
By clearing out old toys and games, you create space for new activities and adventures. Explain to your children that their old toys can bring joy to other kids. This can be a motivating factor and make the process more enjoyable.
Steps for a successful clear out
St Helena charity shops are urgently seeking good quality donations. Your contributions make a significant difference and are greatly needed. Items such as clothing, toys, books, household goods, and furniture are always in demand, and we need your support now! By donating, you support vital hospice care services and help those in your community.
How to donate
Please help us to help you and your community. Every donation counts, and together, we can make a substantial impact. Clear out your space, involve your children, and contribute to a worthy cause.
When you make a donation to St Helena Hospice, we are charged transactional fees by other companies, including fees for processing payments made to us, looking up addresses and validating bank account details.
We are very grateful to our donors who offer to offset some of these fees with a minor addition to their total amount. This is however completely optional and we are very grateful for your support whether or not you choose to contribute to processing fees.
CloseWe are able to claim an extra 25p on every £1 on your donation amount for no extra cost to you, as long as you are a UK tax payer; have paid enough income tax or capital gains tax in that tax year; and are donating your own money. If you pay less income tax and/or capital gains tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all of your donations in that tax year it is your responsibility to pay any difference. For more information about Gift Aid, please visit https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid