The Shooting Star Trust runs a hospice in Hampton for 'life limited' children. Since before it was…read morebuilt, and through to the present day, they have run charity shops throughout the area, first to raise money to build the facility, and now to help run it. This one is right next to the Tesco Express, and right near the bus stop (R70, 285 and R68). This is a nice little charity shop with friendly staff, though with a few unfriendly signs (telling punters they don't bargain on price, amongst others). The shop window is attractively laid out, though the interior is a bit higgledy-piggledy - not quite as tidy as Oxfam or Princess Alice shops tend to be. There is a mix of clothes, a few books and videos and knick knacks - it's not a big shop, so you won't necessarily be browsing for long (and it's near a couple more charity shops - Hampton Hill High Street has more than its fair share), but you may well find a bargain. I've donated as well as bought, and the staff always seem pleased to receive your cast offs. This is a worthy charity, and a better breed of charity shop.

This charity shop sells all kinds of furniture, from beds to sofa's, as well as electrical goods…read morelike fridges, TV's and the like. Everything is reasonably priced and the staff are very friendly, going above and beyond what you'd expect. I'd definitely recommend this place to students needing to furnish a flat, there are some good bargains to be found if you look around and the prices have some room to manoeuvre, especially if you're getting a few bits. They offer delivery on large items through their van drivers, and also do house clearances for people who are getting rid of furniture.

The British heart foundation at Sidcup has 2 shops, one selling the normal array of clothes, bric a…read morebrac and dvds etc and the other selling electricals, household goods and furniture. Both shops are well laid out. The clothes are high end prices and a bit too dear for me but the furniture shop is amazing and has so many bargains I can't list them all here but it's easy to pick up a tv for £20, a dishwasher for £50 and a bookcase for under a tenner. The upstairs is not accesible for wheelchair users or anyone who can't climb stairs. The shop can be accessed for the high street or the best bet is to park in Morrisons and walk down the stairs as the car park is behind the shop.

This is not only a Youth Club. It is also a gym and pool open to members and anyone can join…read more Membership is £15 per month or £25 for a couple and something fractionally more for a 'family'. As it was built with money taken from tax payers for kids and unemployed people it doesn't open hours that really suit anyone that works for a living. However, if you want to take your kid swimming on a Satiurday it's very useful. It's open on weekdays to the general membership from 3pm until 5pm and on Saturdays from 10am until 5pm the rest of the time it is for 'community' stuff. Sunday it is closed. You can also take archery lessons here.

This is a really nice little charity shop, all the money goes locally to people with mental health…read moreissues, there's a gigantic ginger cat that seems to love loafing around everywhere in the shop, the staff are exceptionally nice friendly and helpful and stuff is much cheaper than the charity shops on the main drag in Camden, so if charity shops are your thing, this is the place to come....

Clothing, bric a brac, books, records, cds, videos. Belts, ties, handbags, shoes 10-4.45 mon-fri…read more Big radius of clientele - well known in London. There are many branches of the mind shop and their all fab! Staff are friendly and helpful. There is a real homely feel in the shop and you can pick up few antique pieces. You can also donate any unwanted items you have at home or donate financiallyafterm all it is for charity:D

Telegraph Hill Centre (http://thcentre.com) is self-funded venue, it receives no funding from local…read moreauthorities. As such, every penny Telegraph Hill Centre makes from hire charges, goes back into maintaining and improving the building. I've hosted five events at the Centre and each time have received a great deal of practical help and advice from its team. Telegraph Hill Centre has a large main hall with a raised stage. There is also a proper kitchen tucked away to one side of the main hall which could be used to serve food and drinks. Its a great space for a theatrical event, a party, or a music gig and can accomodate up to 200 people standing, 100 seated, or up to 60 if you're opting for 'cabaret' style seating around tables (this comes from practical experience from hosting events there). The second largest space at Telegraph Hill Centre is known as 'The Lounge', this offers a flexible rectangular space to accomodate an event for up to 40 people standing or around 25 seated. This also has a screened off food serving/bar space with sinks, hot water and the like. The Centre has spaces available to hire from as little as £10 an hour. Though most spaces are fairly bare, they can be dressed up with a little imagination the bareness offers a blank template to work from I guess. There are ladies and gents toilets as well as a disabled loo which is wheelchair accessible. You can access the building on the level so for those with mobility problems, access is possible. Telegraph Hill Centre will soon be refurbished so I imagine things will only get better. The 3 stars are because I think a refurb is needed, and would take it to a 4 star venue easily. I gather there are plans to install a lift so that the upper floors can be made more accessible. There are 2 members of staff who can help and they are usually contactable between 10.30am and 2pm. Details of the venue, what goes on there and how to contact them are availble from the Telegraph Hill Centre website http://thcentre.com

Besides it being a great cause and selling gems of clothing, I had to complain…read more The times I had gone there, it was bit full because of how small the local is and there was a bit of frustration from the service side. However, I don't know if I caught someone in a bad mood or 5 minutes before closing, but when I went to drop off clothing to the good cause, I was greeted with a scowl, a door slam and not even a thank you. Absolutely terrible, it also made me want to take back what I had given away and give it to another charity like the Cancer Research UK up the street. I should have if had I not been in shock from the rudest encounter I have ever experienced in the least likely place, a charity shop. It doesn't matter where you work, but customer service is customer service.

A recent tour of the Islington charity shop scene was quite revealing. While the smaller shops on…read moreEssex road and Caledonian road were interesting, the cloithing all seemed to lean to a more elderly customer. Even the Oxfam in Angel was not pleasing. Marie Curie, however, perhaps due to its size, has more than the average charity shop. The ornaments shelf, as someone else mentioned, is a treasure trove. Great place for cheap photo frames, and the books shelf is packed tight. I bought a very nice, young T shirt, perfect size, for £2. Now, you have to be happy with that don't you?!

Greenwich & Bexley Cottage Hospice is a little charity shop based in Belvedere village. It is good…read morefor picking up random second hand items such as toys, games and ornaments as well as stocking racks of second hand clothing and cheap books. Paperbacks are 30p each, hardbacks £1 and this is good place to visit if you love reading find yourself getting through books quickly. One downside to the shop is that it is a bit of a tight squeeze and with a few people in the shop it can become very congested very quickly. Staff are enthusiastic and serve you with a smile on their face. Obviously you also get the added satisfaction of knowing your money is going to a good cause too.

With its neighbor building on Clerkenwell Green, Craft Central is a haven of studios/workshops for…read morea wide variety of artisans from jewelers, potters, knitters, haberdashers, clothiers, painters, graphic artists, violin makers and more. A few times per year, Craft Central holds open house events when anyone (for a small donation -of £2, I think) can have a stroll through to meet the artists, see beautiful things where they're made and maybe make a purchase that will benefit the artist directly. It is a privilege to have such a concentration of talent in the center of this great Town and I always look forward to these events. Many of these artists also show their products at the big craft fairs such as Origin.