Looking for meaningful holiday gifts this year? Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS) are encouraging the community to head to Southend’s charity shops, where every purchase not only brings joy but helps fund local causes. Shopping with purpose has never been so easy.

Buying ‘pre-loved’ goods this holiday season is a popular choice for both eco and money-saving reasons – but it also helps support local causes in need of vital funds. With charity shop sales booming nationally by 147% in 2023, according to a report by the Ethical Consumer and Co-operative Bank, and while almost half the charities surveyed by the Charity Retail Association last year said they intended to open more stores, it’s clear that more and more people are discovering the value in shopping sustainably and supporting local causes.

And, in Southend, that impact is felt directly in our community. From helping fund mental health services, supporting vulnerable people and families to environmental causes, every penny you spend goes directly into the charities piggy banks.

From one-of-a-kind vintage treasures to gently used designer items, charity shops are full of hidden gems that’ll make your holiday gifts stand out. Plus, you’ll be scoring amazing deals that regular retailers can’t match.

SAVS asked Age Concern Southend how their recent addition of a charity shop to the Haven Community Hub was working out. Samantha Crump, Fundraiser comments,

“The money we raise from the shop is helping the charity to continue providing our free services such as our befriending services, and coffee and conversation groups which aim to prevent social isolation amongst the older community of Southend.”

“The shop has also brought many new people to the Haven Community Hub, including both customers and volunteers. We are really pleased with how successful it has been.”

The shop has been open 9 months and a key strategy of the charity is to keep prices low and affordable.

Charity shops are stepping up their game, in an effort to keep customers coming through their doors, many shops have made huge efforts to make eye catching displays and boutique shopping experiences. One such example of this is Havens Hospice.

Cerena Ashwell from Havens Hospice,

“When you shop with us, you’re not just finding a new home for pre-loved items – your helping provide essential care and support to those facing life-limiting illnesses in our community. We’ve built a portfolio of 28 shops across Essex to reach key and trending demographics. This includes our Re:loved stores which offer a higher quality product along with brand new designer items and gifts.”

“We curate the stock, hand-picking items from our generous donations to make sure we’re offering the best items possible so we can remain competitive. Rising costs mean we need to be innovative and ensure we’re always making the most from every donation, whilst keeping affordable and inclusive for shoppers.”

“We revamped our store along Leigh Road in 2022, which had a fantastic response from our supporters. Its success led us to open another Re:loved store in Leigh Broadway to complement our offer with a focus on graphic t-shirts, denim and vintage treasures. Not only are we reaching new audiences, but raising funds to help support families across Essex.”

“Donating to our charity shops is a great way to declutter, and every sale directly supports our local hospice care. Whether it’s clothes that no longer fit, books you’ve finished, or home goods you’ve replaced, every donation makes a difference.”

So why not shop with purpose this holiday season? Every item you purchase helps make a lasting difference to the local voluntary sector.