Your Big Guide To Online Charity Shops In The UK

Be a more sustainable shopper with this handy guide to the UK charity shops offering online shopping options.

Shopping for preloved items is one of the simplest and most budget-friendly ways to live more sustainably. Plus, rummaging through the rails in the local charity shop can be fun. It’s definitely one of my favourite ways to spend an afternoon!

However, it’s not always the most convenient or accessible option. And if you are looking for something specific, finding the exact item you want in your local charity shops can be quite a time-consuming process.

The good news is that there’s no need to buy new if you can’t visit your local charity shop. In recent years, many UK charities have started expanding beyond the traditional bricks-and-mortar retail model. Heaps of charities have set up their own dedicated e-shops, or have fully embraced the world of online resale platforms such as eBay and Depop.

Since most of these platforms allow you to filter by category, size, brand, condition and more, it’s also never been easier to track down exactly what you’re looking for. As well as clothes, you can also buy books, electronics, furniture, household items and a whole lot more from the comfort of your sofa, all whilst supporting good causes and reducing waste.

Guide To UK Charity Shops Offering Online Shopping

Wondering where to start? Here are some of my favourite UK charity shops offering online shopping options, with links to each of their webshops.

Oxfam Online

• Delivery: £3.95 for UK delivery – no matter how many items you order. High-value or bulky items are sent via a courier and incur an additional charge. If an item is to be sent via courier, you’ll see the additional postage cost on the product description page.
• Returns: Free 28-day returns period (extended until the end of January for anything bought during December).

Oxfam Online has long been one of my favourite online charity shops, and for good reason. It offers a wide range of second-hand clothes, shoes and accessories for men, women and children – including a preloved bridal section.

As well as preloved fashion, you’ll also find preloved books, music, video games, homewares, toys, games and a whole lot more.

Each item is photographed well, with useful descriptions that include measurements, fabric type, garment care, and details about the condition, so that there are no surprises when your item reaches you.

Oxfam also offers its “Sourced By Oxfam” range. This is a carefully curated selection of ethical, sustainable and brand-new items, which includes gifts, food items, cleaning products, and more. All proceeds from both its preloved and new items support Oxfam’s key efforts to fight global poverty and inequality.

And if you’re having a clear-out, there’s even an option to donate your clothes by post to Oxfam, using the handy free postage service.

Get 10% off your first purchase when you sign up for Oxfam Online’s mailing list.

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British Heart Foundation

• Delivery: £4.25 per item. Combined postage is only available for items located in its central eBay hub in Leeds.
• Returns: 30-day return policy.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) doesn’t have a standalone webshop, however, it does offer online shopping via its very own eBay shop.

Here you’ll find a whole host of preloved treasures, spread across multiple categories. This includes men’s, women’s and children’s clothes, shoes and accessories, antiques and collectables, homewares, music, books, art and a whole lot more.

Hop over to BHF’s website, and you’ll also find lots of ways to donate your items if you can’t get to your local shop. This includes a nationwide free collection of furniture, electricals, homeware, and more, and a free postage service to donate your unwanted clothes.

All proceeds help fund the British Heart Foundation’s life-saving research into heart and circulatory diseases, including strokes and vascular dementia. 

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Sue Ryder

• Delivery: £3.95 for orders below £40, free for orders over £40.
• Returns: 30-day return policy

Sue Ryder’s dedicated webshop champions the sale of pre-loved men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, furniture and refurbished appliances, alongside new items that have been chosen with care.  

The preloved section is smaller than some other online charity shops, but it’s a good, solid collection. Each item is photographed well and includes the measurements and a detailed description that allows you to shop with confidence.

All proceeds go towards Sue Ryder’s work in supporting people at the end of their lives and those who are struggling with grief.

Get 10% off your first order when you sign up for the Sue Ryder mailing list.

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Barnardo’s

• Delivery: £3.99, with free delivery on orders over £50.
• Returns: 60-day return policy

Barnardo’s standalone online shop offers a wide range of preloved clothing and accessories for men, women and children – all sourced from its charity shops across the UK.

Find pre-loved pieces from big brands, such as Dr Martens, Vans, Dolce & Gabbana and more, alongside high-street favourites. Each features high-quality photography and all the details you need to make an informed purchase. There’s also a generous 60-day return policy, really helping you to shop with confidence.

Alongside preloved clothing, find a huge range of new items – including toys, home accessories, gifts, and more.

All proceeds go towards Barnardo’s important work in helping children and young people feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.

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The British Red Cross

• Delivery: £3.50 per item, but, for multiple purchases the British Red Cross say that: “We strive to combine postage when possible. Contact our eBay customer services team for a quote before purchase. If requested post-purchase, we will provide a quote and adjust postage costs accordingly.”
• Returns: 60-day return policy

The British Red Cross sells preloved clothing and accessories for men, women and children, alongside a multitude of other household, entertainment, and leisure items via its eBay store. So much so that at the time of writing, over 12,000 items were listed for sale.

I particularly love browsing the clothing selection here. The photos are of good quality, and the descriptions are excellent. I’ve also found that most of the clothing listed is from higher-end high-street and designer brands, or vintage pieces, so you’re bound to come away with something special.

All proceeds go towards The British Red Cross’s work that helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are in the world – whether it’s due to conflict, natural disasters or individual emergencies.

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Shelter

• Delivery: £3.95 fixed fee per order, no matter how many items you order.
• Returns: Free returns within 30 days

I always love shopping in-store at Shelter – it always has a fantastic selection of high-quality goods at great prices. Thankfully, its online charity shop offers the same experience, offering great quality preloved womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear alongside a fantastic gender-neutral section.

There are higher-end high-street brands, designer brands and unique vintage pieces waiting to find a good home. I absolutely fell in love with a stunning vintage dress on the Shelter site. It was a super reasonable £20, but sadly it was too small, so I had to pass. But there are some proper gems on there.

Alongside clothing, you’ll find preloved books and music – including vinyl – and new homewares and gifts. Each purchase you make helps to raise vital funds for Shelter to fight housing injustice across the UK.

Get 10% off your first order when you sign up for the Shelter mailing list.

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Marie Curie

• Delivery: Postage starts from £4.50
• Returns: 30-day return policy

Marie Curie is a charity helping people and their families living with a terminal illness make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert care, emotional support, research and guidance.

It runs its online shop through eBay, where you can browse hundreds of high-quality donated goods across a wide-range of categories. From clothing and accessories to collectables and vinyl, and a whole lot more.

Each item is carefully photographed and described, so you know exactly what you are buying. I bought up a preloved toy here for my daughter’s Christmas, and it arrived really quickly, well packaged, and in amazing condition – so it definitely gets my seal of approval!

Other Charities

If you’d rather support a different charity than the ones listed, then try the eBay for Charity page. It offers a huge range of items listed by a diverse range of UK charities – small and large, and local and national.

More Preloved Shopping Resources

I’ve been shopping preloved since I was a teenager, and love nothing more than sharing my top tips with you. Here are some resources I’ve put together to help you out:

• My top charity shop tips – gleaned from over 25 years of charity shopping!
• Where to buy vintage clothes online in the UK