Samaritans shop asking people to donate goods rather selling them on

A special request has been made by Swindon's Samaritans branch.

As the season changes, they are appealing for people to donate clothing and other goods to its pre-loved shop in Curtis Street rather than selling them via services such as Vinted.

A Samaritans spokesperson said: "Donating locally is a great way of supporting your local Samaritans branch as well as recycling your great quality clothes and bric a brac, ensuring many more happy memories are created by our customers when they buy something you’ve loved and donated!

"Happily, you can also increase the value of your donations through Gift Aid – at no cost to you, if you are a UK taxpayer. Please ask us for a form.

"Swindon & District Samaritans need to raise all our own running costs and all the money we raise is spent locally providing our free listening service for anyone who needs a safe place to talk as well as throughout our community raising awareness and recruiting volunteers."

More information can be obtained via https://www.samaritans.org/branches/swindon/swindon-samaritans-news/samaritan-charity-shop/ and by calling 01793 526430 or emailing [email protected]

The spokesperson added: "As one of our customers recently said, 'I understand that by supporting this great shop I am also helping Samaritans to listen to anyone who is struggling, and this means a lot to me.' 

"Just £5 can fund a call – a call which could save a life. At Samaritans, we believe that every life lost to suicide is a tragedy and our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. 

"Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help without judgment or pressure. We won't give advice or tell anyone what to do but we will explore feelings and give our undivided attention and empathy to help reduce distress and despair. 

"We're here every hour of every day of the year for anyone who needs someone to listen to them, whatever they're going through. 

"Your help can make all the difference."