Charity recycles 350 tonnes of unwanted goods

Over 350 tonnes of textiles, shoes, bags, books, and household items have been kept out of landfill by being sold through St Barnabas Hospice Shops.

Figures for 2025-26 were released as the charity celebrated Earth Day this week and included the sale of 1.06 million items including 22,000 pieces of clothing sold at half-price or lower.

St Barnabas has 23 charity shops in Lincolnshire including its flagship store, The Warehouse in Lincoln, which since it opened in 2022, has sold 580,000 items, recycled 233 tonnes out of landfill and generated over £2 million in income to support vital hospice services.

Caroline Peach, Head of Retail at St Barnabas, said: “By donating or buying items from our charity shops, you are helping us in our mission to provide vital care and support to people across Lincolnshire who are living with a life-limiting or terminal illness. But you’re also helping to look after the planet and make more sustainable daily choices.

“All our shops gratefully accept high-quality donations of pre-loved items. We recommend giving your local shop a quick call before you come, just to ensure they can take donations that day.”

The Hospice operates a range of charity shops across the county, varying from small high street shops to vast spaces, raising vital income for its services. In each shop, you can find thousands of pre-loved, quality items, including clothing, homeware, books, crafts, and toys. The Warehouse also offers furniture and other large items.

Shopping second-hand helps reduce environmental impact by cutting waste and limiting the demand for new goods. Buying locally can also reduce carbon emissions associated with shipping, while directly supporting hospice care in the community.

Debbie, Shop Manager at St Barnabas, says: “I work in one of the St Barnabas Hospice shops, and every day, I feel so proud to be helping put money where it needs to go – to hospice care.

“Customers often tell me how wonderful the care team were looking after their loved ones. And I remind everyone I work with that we’re not just selling clothes or books, we’re helping take care of local families.

“When someone buys a £5 jumper, it’s £5 towards pain relief to help someone be comfortable at home or a home-cooked meal for a patient in the hospice. No matter how you support St Barnabas, it’s something to be extremely proud of.”

You can drop off up to three bags or boxes at your local shop – it is recommended to give them a quick call ahead of your visit to make sure they can accept donations that day. Donations to The Warehouse in Lincoln can be pre-booked.

To find out more about what St Barnabas can accept, and to find your nearest shop, please visit:  https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/shop/