Barnardo's

Barnardo's was founded in 1866 by Thomas John Barnardo, a 21-year-old Irish medical student who arrived in London to train as a doctor and was appalled by the poverty and destitution he found among the city's children. He opened his first home for destitute boys in Stepney Causeway, East London, in 1870, and went on to establish more than 90 homes and institutions for vulnerable children before his death in 1905. By then the organisation that bore his name had helped more than 60,000 children.

Today, Barnardo's is one of the UK's largest children's charities, running over 800 frontline services across the country — from fostering and adoption support to work with young people affected by sexual exploitation, mental ill-health, poverty, and disability. The charity operates over 700 shops across the UK, making it one of the largest charity retail networks in the country.

Barnardo's shops are particularly well-regarded for their children's clothing, toys, and baby equipment — reflecting the charity's focus on children and families. Many shops also carry a strong selection of adult clothing, books, homeware, and accessories. The charity runs a Gift Aid scheme that allows UK taxpayers to boost the value of their donations at no cost to themselves.

Barnardo's is unusual among major charity retailers in that it actively promotes ethical fashion and sustainability. The charity encourages the public to think about the environmental benefits of buying second-hand and regularly partners with fashion brands on upcycling and responsible consumption campaigns. Shopping at Barnardo's is both a charitable act and an environmentally conscious one.