By Trinity Killian

Do you enjoy hunting for treasures in charity shops? Then this plan is just for you! Join me as I make my way through the centre of York and visit 9 shops that support a good cause. 

1. RSPCA

RSPCA shop exterior, 5B Goodramgate, York YO1 7LJ

We begin our journey feet away from the wonderful Monk bar on Goodramgate at RSPCA. Although this shop is relatively small compared to other shops on the list, it hides some amazing treasures. It was quite empty on a Thursday around mid-day.

Shop interior 

,,Our mission is to make sure that all animals have a good life, by rescuing and caring for those in need, by speaking on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect.’’ 

RSPCA 

By purchasing from this shop, you support animal rescue and rehabilitation facilities owned by RSPCA.  
 
This specific shop offers a wide range of ladies’ tops, bottoms, outerwear, some shoes, accessories, bric-a-brac, a small book section and a rather small men’s section.  
As an alternative individual myself, I usually don’t expect to see much of my style in charity shops, but it seemed like today was my lucky day! Amongst ladies’ dresses was hidden a lush black velvet number with fishnet sleeves.

Black velvet dress with fishnet sleeves from the RSPCA shop for 8.50GBP. 

If you thought I was done there, you’d be mistaken! The men’s section had a selection of black band T-shirts. Each for 10GBP. 

2. Oxfam

Oxfam shop exterior, 7 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LJ

Just a few steps away from RSPCA is the Oxfam shop, right on the corner of the street. Although the clothing section in this shop can get quite pricey, it is still a good spot for finding countless other interesting things! 

Book and music section near the Oxfam shop entrance. 

Right as you walk in, you’re greeted by two walls full of books, vinyl and CDs. Right across from them is a small gift shop corner with items relating to Oxfam’s cause, such as slavery-free chocolate or sustainably made paper gifts.  

,,We are Oxfam: Together we can create a more equal future, free from poverty.‘‘ 

Oxfam 

The shop really does have everything, including a wedding section upstairs! I do believe it is all sorts of formalwear, not just wedding attire. You do have to book in to have a look, though. It also features two rails of exclusive vintage picks on ground floor, but I personally think some of the pieces on the rails are very far from true vintage even while it matches the style of older, retro fashion. 

I walk away from Oxfam with a photo frame for 99p as per my family’s request! Perfect for our next stop at the photo printing booth later in the day. 

Black picture frame I found in the bric-a-brac section of Oxfam. 

Charity website: https://oxfam.co.uk/ 

 

3. British Heart Foundation

BHF shop exterior, 11 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LW

Right next door from Oxfam is the bright red exterior of British Heart Foundation. If you’re a student, you’ll appreciate the large sticker on the shop window letting you know you have the option for 10% off your entire purchase.  

,,Support the BHF to give a gift that keeps on living. Donate this festive season to raise money for research into heart and circulatory conditions.’’ 

British Heart Foundation 

BHF shop interior.

This shop’s clothing selection is very well balanced and everyone will find something to wear. It also includes other categories like books, bric-a-brac, music or entertainment. I have previously found some amazing items for 50p a piece! You do have to look out for large bins to find items for this price, as the BHF shop only does this when they have loads of overstock. 

Charity website: https://www.bhf.org.uk/  

4. Sue Ryder

Continuing down Goodramgate, our next stop is Sue Ryder. This shop is special with its upstairs vintage selection. 

Sue Ryder shop exterior, 28 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LG 

The men’s section in this shop is unfortunately very small and the selection isn’t very good. If you’re on the hunt for feminine clothing, though, you are in luck! The whole downstairs area is filled with ladies clothing, accessories and there’s also a little hidden bric-a-brac section in the back of the store. 

,,We are here to make sure that everyone approaching the end of life or living with grief can access the support they need.’’ 

Sue Ryder 

Sue Ryder shop interior, downstairs area.

If you want to explore vintage fashion and other memorabilia, a staircase right across from the entrance will take you to an upstairs area with curated clothing, books, vinyl and other interesting bits. Be warned that this shop does sometimes sneak some pricier fast fashion garments amongst their true vintage pieces, so be careful with your picks. 

Sue Ryder’s curated vintage section, upstairs area. 

Charity website: https://www.sueryder.org/  

5. Mind

Small and narrow, but full of wonder. This charity shop is difficult to get through on a busy day due to its layout and size, but if you can peek through the windows and see that it’s empty, then go! The walls are lined with ladies clothing from both sides and at the very end of the shop you’ll find men’s, books, music, toys for children and bric-a-brac. The till is area usually surrounded by higher-end fashion and accessories. 

,,We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.’’ 

Mind 

Mind shop exterior, 59 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LS

Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take photos of the shop interior, but I hope that my description was enough to paint a picture of what this shop offers. Mind has two locations in the centre of York, second one being Coney Street near St. Helen’s Square. 

Charity website: https://www.mind.org.uk/  

6. St. Leonard’s Hospice 

Both locations of St. Leonard’s Hospice in York centre unfortunately didn’t allow me to take photos of the shop’s interior, but I will do my best to describe it! 

,,St Leonard’s Hospice is an independent charity, providing specialist palliative care, and support for local people with life-limiting illnesses.’’ 

St. Leonard’s Hospice 

St. Leonard’s Hospice shop exterior, 20 Colliergate, York YO1 8BN 

Upon entering the store, you will be greeted with a colour coordinated selection of ladies clothing lining the store‘s walls and a couple of rails down the middle. The downstairs area is purely ladies’ formalwear (at least in my opinion it has always felt quite formal), but upstairs is where the magic happens. Towards the end of the store is a set of stairs that will take you to a floor full of vintage wonders and menswear. I have found some of the coolest pieces in that section and it’s all so reasonably priced!  

Charity website: https://stleonardshospice.org.uk/  

7. Age UK York

Quaint little shop hidden away down the wonderful Fossgate. This shop is very small, but I have always had such a good experience during my visit. The staff are always kind and happy to help with anything you might need. 

Age UK shop exterior, 49 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF 

,,Age UK York is an independent local charity which has been working in the local community to help older people for nearly 50 years.’’ 

Age UK York 

Upon walking in, you’ll be greeted by a sale rail that sometimes has some really cool pieces for next to nothing. This shop has lots to choose from, even while being so tiny! You can rummage through ladies and men’s clothing, bric-a-brac, lots of pretty accessories and books.  

Age UK shop interior 

Charity website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/york/  

8. St. Leonard’s Hospice  

We’re slowly nearing the end of our journey as we make our way through Fossgate to another one of St. Leonard’s Hospice branches. 

St. Leonard’s Hospice shop exterior, 42 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF 

Both locations mentioned in this article are some of my most favourite places to go charity shopping in York. I have previously had such incredible luck finding true vintage pieces hidden among regular clothes in the Fossgate location. I still vividly remember finding an early 2000’s original print Dimmu Borgir t-shirt at a bargain. I have since parted ways with it, but that surge of adrenaline you get when you find a really good piece is a very memorable charity shopping moment. 

Due to how busy the shop was I didn’t even bother asking the manager for permission to take photos of the interior, so you’ll just have to trust me on this! The inside of the store is a narrow room from entrance to the back and the walls are lined with clothing for all genders. While it does offer a similar mixture of products to the other shops we’ve visited, this one has something special. As a hobby seamstress I quite enjoy rummaging through their small section with sewing patterns, embellishments and other equipment. If you’re into DIY, I’m positive you’ll appreciate this as well. 

Charity website: https://stleonardshospice.org.uk/  

9. British Red Cross

Drumroll please…! We have arrived at our final destination: the British Red Cross. Once you make your way through Fossgate and across the bridge, you’ll walk straight into Walmgate, where we have our final stop. 

British Red Cross shop exterior, 15 Walmgate, York YO1 9TX 

Like with some other shops, I wasn’t allowed to take photos of the interior – but that’s never stopped us, has it?! Once again, I will give you a brief description so you can get a better idea of what this store has to offer. 

,,We help anyone, anywhere in the UK and around the world, get the support they need if crisis strikes.’’ 

• British Red Cross  

If you prefer charity shopping for high street fashion brands, then you’ll love this one. This BRC shop receives loads of donations from large companies that give away portions of their product range to charity shops. You’ll be able to shop for brand new (with tags) clothing at a fraction of the regular retail price.  

Charity website: https://www.redcross.org.uk/  

Well, that concludes our Tour-de-charity adventure in the York city centre. Now that you’re on Walmgate, you can explore local cafes and restaurants, some of which offer authentic Asian cuisine! Or pop into York Brew to grab a pint of beer, maybe even peep behind the corner on Piccadilly and go to SPARK for some yummy street food? Options are endless, so just look around and find a place to relax and go through today’s charity shop finds.