Charity shop manager explains which items they accept

Gerry Golden, manager at Emmaus Dover, says donations are vital to the charity and that clothing, bric-a-brac and usable furniture commonly make it onto shop shelves, while heavily worn items, some electricals and safety equipment are often not accepted.

Emmaus Dover’s shop manager, Gerry Golden, outlined what the store can and cannot accept from donors and why those rules exist. He emphasised that donations supply the shop and support Emmaus UK’s homelessness work. The piece notes many people prefer donating to charity shops rather than reselling online. It also describes common checks staff make before putting items on sale. Key points: - Donations are important to Emmaus Dover and support the charity’s work. - Furniture is often welcomed even with light cosmetic damage, but most shops cannot carry out major repairs and some require a fire label unless the item predates 1950. - Electrical items must be fully functional for acceptance; some goods (the article mentions printers and Sky boxes) are not taken. - Clothing is a core donation type but heavily marked, ripped or worn items are removed from sale and sent to an ethical rag company for recycling. - Bric-a-brac accounts for a significant share of sales at the Dover branch (about 25%). - Seasonal decorations are stored for later sale rather than being discarded. Summary: Donations that are usable help Emmaus turn items into income and support people in need, while unsuitable items are recycled where possible. Shops set their own acceptance rules and capacities. Undetermined at this time.