Why I’m charity shopping with North Devon Hospice this Christmas

Right, confession time. I work for North Devon Hospice, so you might think I’m biased about charity shopping. But honestly? Even if I didn’t work here, I’d still be doing all my Christmas shopping in our charity shops this year. Let me explain why.

My job means I see first-hand where the money from our shops actually goes. Every vintage jumper sold, every pre-loved book, every donated ornament, it all funds the specialist care we provide for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

We’re talking about nurses, counsellors, complementary therapists, and support workers who are there for local people during the hardest moments of their lives. That's not just some abstract ‘good cause’, it’s people in North Devon getting the care and dignity they deserve.

Above: From board games to furniture and clothes, there is always something worth hunting through at a North Devon Hospice charity shop. Credit: North Devon Hospice

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Last weekend, I went to one of our Barnstaple shops and came out with a gorgeous scarf, a retro Gameboy and a few different board games and puzzles for after Christmas dinner. Total damage? Less than £40. The high street could never do that.

But here’s what really gets me excited… the sustainability angle. I spend my days promoting North Devon Hospice’s work and part of that is seeing how much stuff gets donated. Good quality stuff. Designer labels, barely-worn clothes, furniture that’s better made than anything you’d find in IKEA.

All of this would potentially end up in landfill if people didn’t donate it, and all the new stuff people would buy instead would just add to the planet’s growing waste problem.

The fashion industry is one of the worst polluters globally and don’t even get me started on the amount of plastic waste from Christmas gift packaging.

When you shop in charity shops, you’re actively choosing to break that cycle. You’re saying, ‘actually, I don’t need everything to be brand new and wrapped in five layers of cellophane’. And honestly? That feels pretty good.

Working here has also shown me the community aspect of our shops. Our volunteers are incredible. They’re the backbone of everything we do.

When you shop with us, you’re supporting their efforts, you’re keeping our shops thriving, and you’re helping to create those little high street hubs where people actually know each other's names.

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In a world of self-checkouts and algorithm-based recommendations, there's something genuinely lovely about that human connection.

We’ve got shops in Barnstaple, Bideford, Ilfracombe, Braunton, Torrington South Molton, Holsworthy and Lynton, plus a huge specialist furniture store in Barnstaple.

If you can’t make it in person, we’ve even got an eBay store full of crazy and exciting treasures. There's literally no excuse.

I think the thing that surprised me was realising how much pride people take in finding the perfect charity shop gift. It’s not about being cheap, it’s about being intentional.

It’s about putting thought into finding something unique rather than just buying whatever’s on offer in the Christmas aisle. My sister, a huge bookworm, still talks about the vintage set of Charles Dickens books I found her two years ago. She’s never once mentioned any of the ‘normal’ presents I’ve bought her.

This Christmas, I’m going all-in on charity shop presents. Not because I work for North Devon Hospice, but because it makes sense on literally every level.

My bank account stays healthy, my environmental guilt stays manageable and I get to support the work I see making a real difference every single day.

Plus, the thrill of finding something absolutely perfect among the rails and shelves? That’s the kind of Christmas magic you can’t get from clicking ‘add to basket’ at 11pm on your phone.

So yeah, I’m biased. But I’m also right. See you in the shops?

Find your nearest North Devon Hospice charity shop at https://www.northdevonhospice.org.uk/shops or visit our eBay store online.