On 4 February, the British Heart Foundation shop in Chorlton welcomed the Environmental Sustainability team from The University of Manchester for a volunteering day. The shop, located on Chorlton high street, sells a wide range of pre-loved items donated from across Manchester. It is also one of two charity shops in the city to have an additional upstairs room used for storing and organising clothing. 

The day began with a tour, giving the Environmental Sustainability team of volunteers an overview of daily operations. Staff introduced the team to the process of sorting donations, preparing stock and managing the storefront. The first task of the day was to create a themed window display. Guided by shop staff and working to the theme of ‘new beginnings’, volunteers chose bright yellows, greens and nature-inspired elements to bring colour to the high street during the darker winter weeks. 

In the afternoon, the team helped sort through the high volume of donations the shop receives. Staff noted that the Chorlton store has never run out of stock, highlighting the scale of donated items received each year. Items from University campuses form a significant portion of this stock, and the shop also sources pieces from well-known vintage retailers in Manchester, ensuring a varied selection of clothing. 

What happens when you donate clothing to a charity shop?  

Donations are stored upstairs and sorted according to where they came from, including University collections and local drop offs. Volunteers and staff members sort through these donations, if an item is dirty or damaged it is separated and cannot be sold. Once organised, the items appropriate to be re-sold are moved into the replenish room, where they are tagged and priced accordingly. Once tagged, they move into the storefront and await a new home.  

The British Heart Foundation not only collects pre-loved items from us but has also previously partnered with the University of Manchester to organise second-hand clothing sales at the Students’ Union. The shop is always open for donations and for volunteering opportunities.  

You can find out more about this initiative by visiting their website.