Hospice UK have revealed that, in the year ending March 2024, they received £38 million more in funding from charity shops than the government.  

The organisation represents the community of over 200 hospices in the UK, supporting palliative care patients and offering bereavement services.  

Furthermore, Hospice UK estimates that a further £60 million will need to be provided by charity shops this year, to make up for the reduction in funding from the government. 

Charity shops across the UK reported an overall 15.1% increase in profit in the first quarter of 2023, according to data from Charity Retail Association.  

Yet they are still expecting to plug 36% more in the funding gap this year than last – that’s an extra £22 million – despite only a 0.8% increase in charity shop income in the first quarter of 2024. 

Vinnie, a retail manager for Age UK Norfolk, described how ‘it’s amazing that [charity shops] can support the homes they are raising money for… but it’s not fair that the government isn’t paying equally. It doesn’t feel right.’ 

Age UK’s website states that 93% of their income goes towards their charitable aims. As with similar organisations, funding is raised through a combination of donations, trust grants, and selling second hand products in shops. 

As of March 2024, Hospice UK explained that a charity shop would have to sell approximately 43,000 shirts to equate the cost of a year-long bed stay for an elderly patient. 

The Charity Retail Association suggests that the number of clothing donations received by charity shops has risen since 2020. 

However, only three in ten clothing items donated make it to the shelves, according to UK Business Waste Management. 

‘Lots of elderly people donate because they want to give to something that will eventually benefit them’ explained Vinnie, when asked about the store’s demographic. 

’Many parents come in with their children, too. It’s a bit of everyone and everything, really.’ 

Such donations are important, with reports showing that one in five hospices in the UK plan on restricting services, reducing staff and cutting the number of beds available due to a decrease in government funding. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care explained that the Labour government inherited ‘huge challenges’ in the hospice sector when they were elected in July 2024. Referring to the ‘£22 billion black hole’ that they were left with, he explained that ‘these problems will take time to fix’. 

While recognising the vital role that hospices have in providing end of life care to people that need it, the spokesperson emphasised that these organisations will need to continue to play a part in shifting ‘more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community.’ 

A staff member from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice charity shop explained that ‘it’s vital that people continue to donate and shop with us’ in order to meet these demands and fund hospices fairly. 

‘Charity shopping is not just better for the environment, but it’s cheaper too. Buying a pair of jeans could literally help support a life.’ 

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