This Secondhand September, Nicola Doughty joins Ashgate Hospice’s Nicola Mann at the charity’s donation centre in Hasland, where every bag tells a story and every donated item helps support local hospice care.
By the time many people are finishing their morning coffee, dozens of bags of donations have already arrived at Ashgate Hospice’s Donation Centre in Hasland.
Boxes filled with books, bags of clothes, children’s toys, kitchenware and ornaments are stacked ready to be sorted. In the first hour of the day, it’s not out of the ordinary for more than 60 bags to have been dropped off. By the end of the day, hundreds of items will have passed through the hands of staff and volunteers. Each item to begin a new chapter in one of Ashgate Hospice’s 17 charity shops, furniture showroom or online sales.
In recent years, Secondhand September, the national campaign that encourages people to shop and donate pre-loved items, has become far more than a shopping trend. Across Derbyshire, more of us are swapping high street for the thrill of the charity shop treasure hunt – many enjoying a good rummage through the rails in search of a bargain jacket, stylish find, or a vintage piece of furniture.
As a driving force behind Ashgate Hospice’s Donation Centre and furniture showroom at Hasland, Nicola Mann sees Secondhand September as a celebration of generosity.
“We never know what treasures will arrive through our doors each day,” she says. “One minute it might be bags of children’s clothes, the next it could be a beautiful piece of antique furniture or something that’s been tucked away in someone’s loft for decades.”
As people across Derbyshire embrace Secondhand September, Nicola believes there’s never been a better time to look at second-hand shopping differently.
“People often come in because they’re looking for a bargain,” she says. “Then they realise they’re finding things that are unique and full of character. Buying second-hand isn’t just about saving money anymore. People are thinking much more about sustainability and giving good-quality items another life.”
The team at the centre go through each bag carefully, knowing that each donation often represents an act of generosity and a personal story. From high-street accessories or clothes to vintage books, the sorting team ensure everything goes to the right place, whether that’s one of Ashgate’s charity shops, furniture store, online sales or auction.
“We’re very aware that many of the items we receive have meant something to someone,” Nicola explains. “People are trusting us with belongings that have often been part of their family or home for many years. That’s something we never lose sight of.”
Over the years, the team has uncovered remarkable surprises hidden among everyday donations, from rare collectables to valuable antiques that have gone on to raise thousands of pounds for the hospice.
Designer handbags, vintage jewellery, collectible books and unusual memorabilia all occasionally make an appearance.
“That’s one of the exciting parts of the job,” Nicola says. “You never know when you’re going to uncover something really special.”
Those unexpected discoveries can make a significant difference.
“People are incredibly generous,” Nicola explains. “An item might look unassuming at first glance, but a maker’s mark or a designer label can mean the difference between a £5 sale and a £500 injection of funds for the hospice.”
High-value items are routed to the right platforms such as online auctions or local auction houses so that the true value of a donor’s gift is fully realised, directly benefiting local people.
But while valuable finds make headlines, Nicola insists every donation matters.
Staff and volunteers work side by side throughout the day, sorting, pricing and preparing thousands of items each week. It’s fast-paced, physical work, but one Nicola says is driven by a shared purpose. “Our volunteers are incredible,” she says. “They give their time so generously and bring so much knowledge and experience with them. There is a real sense of teamwork here because everyone understands why they’re here.”
For many volunteers, the hospice has touched their own lives in some way. Others simply want to support a local charity while enjoying the social side of volunteering.
“Everyone brings something different,” Nicola says. “By the end of the day, you’ve laughed together, worked hard together and know that everything you’ve achieved is helping local people.”
The growing popularity of campaigns such as Secondhand September has mirrored a much wider change in the way people think about shopping.
Not so long ago, charity shops were often seen as somewhere to pick up a bargain if you were lucky. Today, they’re places where shoppers actively search for quality, individuality and sustainability.
“People’s attitudes have changed enormously,” Nicola says. “Years ago, there was a bit of a stigma around buying second-hand, but that’s disappeared. Now people are proud of finding something unique, whether it’s a vintage jacket, a solid oak dining table or a beautiful piece of homeware.”
For Nicola, that’s something to celebrate. “There is already so much out there that deserves another life. If we can help stop good-quality items going to waste while raising money for hospice care, that’s a win for everyone.”
The changing habits of local people have also led Ashgate Hospice to develop new ways of helping those who want to donate. This summer, it launched a new house clearance service alongside its free collection of pre-loved furniture – providing a practical solution for people who need to clear a property, such as after a bereavement, house move or downsizing.
By using the service, people can clear unwanted household items while helping to raise vital funds for hospice care and the charity’s wider support services. “A house clearance isn’t just a logistical job,” Nicola explains. “It’s a privilege. Families trust us with their memories. Whether someone is downsizing or grieving the loss of someone close to them, clearing a house is emotional.
“They want the treasured belongings of their loved ones to go to someone who will value and enjoy them.”
To Nicola, all donations have meaning. “They represent kindness,” she says. “Every donation is somebody choosing to help someone they’ve probably never met.”
Some donations will furnish a family’s first home. Others will help someone discover a favourite book or an affordable winter coat. Occasionally, one will turn out to be an unexpected treasure worth hundreds of pounds.
But every single one will help fund compassionate care for local people living with a life-limiting illness and support for those closest to them.
That’s why Nicola hopes people will embrace Secondhand September this year.
Whether it’s choosing to shop pre-loved, clearing out a wardrobe that’s overflowing, donating an unused gift or arranging a house clearance, every small action has the potential to make a lasting difference.
As another customer walks through the Donation Centre doors carrying a bag of clothes, Nicola smiles. She has no idea what might be inside – and that’s exactly what she loves about her job.
“Every day is different,” she says. “Every donation has a story. We simply help it begin its next chapter.”
How to get involved this Secondhand September
- Discover the value of pre-loved: Before buying new furniture, clothing or home decor, consider secondhand items that can be upcycled.
- Clear out your cupboards: Dedicate a few hours this month to have a declutter. Look out for items that are unworn and no longer in use, pack them up and take them to a donation centre or nearest charity shop.
- Donate your hidden treasures: If you or a family member are planning a move, downsizing, or need to clear the estate of someone close, consider a house clearance service.