Donate: Scope charity shops are calling for you to give them your unwanted ‘goods and garms’

New polling from Scope charity shops reveals the average adult from Manchester has on average 30 unworn items of clothing and footwear in their wardrobe. That’s potentially 1.5 billion items taking up valuable space throughout the UK. Ridiculous isn’t it?

With this in mind, the disability equality charity Scope has launched a campaign to encourage the public to clear out their  cupboards and donate their pre-loved goods and garms, so they can go to a new home and help to enable the charity to continue to run their vital support services for disabled people and their families. They’ve even given us all a handy 10-point list of top tips to help with a clear out.

1.The three-year rule. If you’ve not worn it in three years, time to donate it.
2. If it looks better on your son or daughter than it does on you, you know it’s time to let it go.
3. One hit wonder styles tend not to make a comeback (the puffball tried hard recently, but thankfully failed). It’s highly unlikely you’ll ever wear it again.
4. Will you be able to drop three sizes to fit into that item you bought in hope or without trying it on?  Probably not, but it will fit someone else.
5. If donating cash to a charity is a bit of a stretch for you, your old clothes can help raise money for Scope instead.
6. Do you even like this item of clothing anymore? Be honest with yourself and part ways.
7. Have you made changes in your lifestyle or work? Is that outfit useful anymore? If not, time to give it a new home.
8. Being sustainably-conscious will make you feel good and give you valuable space back in your wardrobe. Give your garments the chance to live on with someone else and help save the environment.
9.Don’t have your clear out when you’re in a bad mood. As the saying goes, “act in haste, repent at leisure”.
10. Finally; don’t feel bad about giving away that novelty jumper Auntie Maureen bought you for Christmas. Instead of it languishing at the back of your wardrobe, let it go, it could make a perfect Secret Santa gift for someone.

Find your nearest branch at https://www.scope.org.uk/shops/