Charity shops generate over £83 million of social value

More than £83m of social value was generated across Hertfordshire last year by a palliative care charity’s 17 shops.

A new report from Isabel Hospice outlines the impact of charity shopping and the benefits to customers, staff, volunteers and donors, showing that £83,149,192 of social value was generated. For every pound spent, there was an additional £11.76 of benefit to the community.

Almost half of the social value was linked to giving back to others and the planet. The highest social value per person came from volunteers, totalling £3,177 per person. Its charity shops also promote the circular economy through sustainable shopping, saving millions of items from landfill and passing on the benefits to conscientious customers.

Head of Retail and Marketing Charlotte Greenwood said: “We all know anecdotally the wellbeing and community benefits of charity shops, but we now have a quantifiable number that can be attributed to our hard work. We are proud of our shops and the role they play in giving back to the local community while promoting circularity. We hope that this report attracts new customers, donors and volunteers so we can continue funding palliative care to patients at the most difficult of times.”

One Isabel Hospice volunteer reaffirmed the findings, expressing to anyone considering volunteering: “Do it, there is so much to gain. It will make you live happier, longer and stronger. You will never feel isolated, and you’ll not only share your skills with others but develop new ones too.”