Time for a spring clean: Black Country and Shropshire shop Scope tackling the clutter

As we say goodbye to winter, many of us will be making sure our homes are spick and span ready for the brighter months ahead.

And with cleaning often comes decluttering as we take stock of our belongings and get rid of what we no longer need, want, or love.

If you’ve watched Netflix’s Tidying Up with Marie Kondo you might want to add items that don’t ‘spark joy’ to that list. The Japanese tidying guru has taken the UK by storm since the release of her series at the beginning of January.

Her “KonMari” method encourages owners to discard items which no longer “spark joy”, promising a clean mind as well as a clean home.

It’s said that having fewer items in your home also saves time because you’re not spending ages searching for ‘lost’ things or arranging them when storage is already tight.

So, if you’ve caught the decluttering bug, what can you do with those items that are now unloved and unwanted?

Well, it’s often said that one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure.

So unless something is broken beyond repair or it’s a lonely trainer without a mate, then you should be able to find it a new home – and you may even be able to help others at the same time. If you don’t need to sell them, then charity shops are always desperate for donations they can sell to people that will appreciate them and generate vital funds. This is also a good way to ensure items are re-used and avoid them ending up in landfill.

Every year the UK’s 11,200 charity shops raise more than £295million for a range of causes and are staffed by more than 230,000 volunteers, according to the Charity Retail Association.

Most charity shops sell women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, books, toys, ornaments, kitchenware, DVDs, music, computer games, furnishings and bric-a-brac.

Some also sell furniture and electrical appliances while others may specialise in solely books, bridal or music.

When it comes to clothing, many shops have an arrangement with a textile recycler, who buys any unsold items from them, including bed linen and curtains. So, even if something is unfashionable, holey or torn, charities should still benefit from it.

At this time of year, they are calling out for seasonal items

Chelsea Parry, area manager at disability equality charity Scope, which has shops in the Black Country and Shropshire, says: “Scope is grateful for every donation, without them we couldn’t run our shops.

“At the moment, a number of our shops are calling out for handbags, whilst others need more menswear. We also know that homeware such as crockery and unusual décor items tend to be sold as soon as they are placed on our shelves.

“We are also looking for anything seasonal, so we’d love to receive any spring inspired floral or pastel fashions or bric-a-brac. These items look especially inviting when placed in our window displays at this time of the year.

“Scope shops work with a local recycling scheme, so funds can even be raised through people’s holey old socks.

“On average, each bag of donated goods raises around £20 for our work with disabled people and their families.”

Donations should always be brought to the shop within its opening hours so you know their in safe hands. Bags left outside overnight may get damaged by rain or passers-by, and could even be stolen.

If you are a UK taxpayer, you may be asked if you want to Gift Aid your donation; this means that the charity can receive an extra 25p from the Government, for every £1 they raise from selling your goods.

Some charities will be happy to arrange collections for larger furniture or electrical donations so it’s always worth calling them first.

If you have higher value items that you’re keen to get some money back on then online sites such as eBay, Shpock, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are simple to use and can help you find them a new home.

And potential buyers may even collect larger, bulkier items from you. You can also consider car boot sales to get rid of items that aren’t too valuable, or even local furniture auctions.

But if you can afford to donate items after you’ve had a clear out, there is sure to be a grateful charity ready to receive them.

*Five things to think about when giving to charity shops, according to the Charity Retail Association:

1. Charity shops work because they can sell items with a second life. Please check your donations are both clean and functional e.g. tears or broken zips on clothes – missing chapters in books.

2. You are helping a good cause and the environment – re-use is even better than recycling.

3. The best way to donate is to take items directly to your local charity shop.

4. If you have more specialist items, for example, electrical goods or furniture, it is best to check that the charity shop can accept these items for re-sale before donating.

5. If you are not sure whether your clothes can be re-sold – donate them anyway – whatever clothes a charity shop can’t sell they can send off for further re-use or recycling