Opening a charity shop for Dementia Sufferers

Rolandtheroadie

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Are they actually a registered charity? And is it always the same charities which are supported, so that it is clear to shoppers where the support is going?

ALVO appears to be the voluntary services council for Lanark. There will be something similar near where the OP lives. They will be invaluable ...

Yes, it's a registered charity.

When they give money to other charities, it is well publicised in the local papers. Generally, it's The St Andrews Hospice they donate to, and a local charity that supports people with life limiting illnesses.
It's all local workers, mainly affected by breast cancer, although they allow anyone to help out.

Nobody takes any sort of income from the shop, it's more a support thing.

They applied for some grant or another at one point, and whoever they applied to were surprised nobody involved was paid.

fraserbooks

A charity should be run by a board of trustees usually at least three who are usually volunteers but can claim expenses. They can then employ staff but they should avoid conflicts of interest. Accounts should be independently audited. You might find it easier to set up a shop as a small business and agree to give part or all of the profits to your chosen charity. We have a local firm of estate agents who give a large proportion of their profits to shelter but are run as a normal business.

Several years ago I was asked to act as a trustee to help to set up a playgroup for disabled children and I remember it involved quite a lot of paper work. We employed play workers.

lincroft1710

raspberry_sorbet wrote: »

I thought you could pay a wage to yourself or another person, assuming it says you can in the governing document or whatever it was called.

When you've factored in all the overheads of running a shop, how much profit from selling secondhand goods do you think you will get? Take out your wages and how much do you think will be left to donate to your chosen charities?

teddysmum

My mother-in-law used to be a volunteer in two different shops rented by a local registered charity giving daytime help (meals, advice,leisure facilities) to young people with any disability.

As they were a registered charity business rates were waived (possibly paid out of council funds, but the result was the same) and a lower premises rent was offered. Each only lasted a year (one by the centre and one in town),as outgoings (no wages) didn't balance the money raised.