The Salvation Army
Over 100 shops supporting people in poverty, homelessness, and hardship
The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by William Booth, a Methodist preacher who began holding open-air religious meetings in the slums of east London and providing practical help to the desperately poor people he encountered there. Booth and his wife Catherine organised their work along military lines — with uniforms, ranks, and a chain of command — creating an organisation that was both a church and a social welfare provider. By 1890, the Salvation Army had spread to 35 countries.
Today, the Salvation Army operates in more than 130 countries, making it one of the world's largest social welfare organisations. In the UK and Ireland, the Salvation Army runs emergency shelters and hostels for people experiencing homelessness, food banks and community centres, support for people affected by addiction or domestic abuse, missing persons services, and emergency response teams that deploy after floods and other disasters.
The Salvation Army runs over 100 charity shops and Family Stores across the UK. These shops sell donated clothing, furniture, electrical goods, homeware, and books. The Salvation Army is one of the few major charity shop chains that regularly accepts furniture and electrical items, often using its own vehicles to collect large donations. Many Family Stores also serve as community hubs, offering affordable goods to people on low incomes.
The Salvation Army's approach to charity retail is rooted in its founding mission: providing practical help to people in need. By keeping prices accessible and taking in a wider range of donated goods than most charities, the shops serve both donors and buyers across all walks of life. Every purchase and donation helps fund the Salvation Army's frontline social work in communities across the UK.
Salvation Army relies on volunteers to run its shops. One regular session a week is typically all that's needed.
Volunteer with Salvation Army ↗ Guide to charity shop volunteering →What can I donate to Salvation Army?
Many Salvation Army shops offer or arrange collection for furniture and large items. Contact your nearest shop or check salvationarmy.org.uk.
- Clothing & shoes
- Accessories & jewellery
- Books, CDs & DVDs
- Homeware & gifts
- Toys
- Furniture (many locations)
- Electrical goods (many locations)
- Gas appliances
- Mattresses
- Heavily soiled goods
- Broken items — call ahead for large items
Free home collection available — Many Salvation Army shops offer or arrange collection for furniture and large items. Contact your nearest shop or check salvationarmy.org.uk.
Salvation Army — common questions
Who founded the Salvation Army and when?
The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by William Booth, a Methodist preacher who started holding open-air meetings and providing practical help to poor communities in east London. Booth and his wife Catherine organised the movement along military lines, with uniforms, ranks, and a command structure. By 1890 it had spread to 35 countries; today it operates in over 130.
Does the Salvation Army accept furniture donations?
Yes. Many Salvation Army shops and Family Stores accept furniture donations and some offer collection services. Availability varies by location, so it is best to contact your nearest Salvation Army shop directly or check the website at salvationarmy.org.uk to arrange a collection or find out what is accepted in your area.
What can I donate to a Salvation Army charity shop?
Salvation Army shops typically accept clothing, shoes, accessories, books, DVDs, CDs, homeware, jewellery, toys, and — in many locations — furniture and electrical goods. Items should be clean and in good condition. Contact your local shop before dropping off large or electrical items to confirm what they currently accept.
What social services does the Salvation Army provide in the UK?
The Salvation Army runs emergency shelters and hostels for people experiencing homelessness, food banks, addiction support, domestic abuse support services, missing persons services, and emergency response teams. It also provides community programmes for older people, families, and young people at risk. In the UK, the Salvation Army is registered as both a church and a charity.
How do I find my nearest Salvation Army shop?
Use the postcode or location search on this page to find Salvation Army charity shops near you using live map data. You can also use the official location finder at salvationarmy.org.uk/find-us.
Is the Salvation Army a church as well as a charity?
Yes. The Salvation Army is both a Christian church and a registered charity. Its social welfare work and its worship life are treated as inseparable — the belief that faith must express itself through practical service to others is central to its identity. You do not need to share the Salvation Army's beliefs to use its shops or benefit from its services.
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