I bought a big suitcase. BIG SUITCASE – the most essential tool of the character comedian. I poked around charity shops and Freecycle and Facebook Marketplace with no luck. It needed to be BIG and it needed to be available soon (it was purchased in advance of Brighton Fringe in May, when I was doing 5 shows over 2 consecutive weekends, travelling back and forth from London to Brighton every day.)
Parents can check if their child’s school or Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has a second-hand selling group, where you may be able to pick up pre-loved items. While this might not be available at every school, you could try organising your own second-hand sale with the school or check social media sites and apps such as Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle.
The Freecycle Network® is a global movement that believes in the power of sharing, recycling, and building a community.
Founded in 2003, it has grown into a vast network with millions of members in over 5000 volunteer-run local groups worldwide. The website provides a platform where individuals can give away items they no longer need or find treasures they seek, all for free. It is a grassroots, non-profit organisation that focuses on reducing waste, promoting reuse, and creating a strong sense of community.
When she was pregnant with Isaac, Helen sourced a cot for £20, as well as a Moses’ basket and a chest of drawers for free and a changing unit that only cost £10 – by utilising Facebook groups where members post things they’re looking to quickly flog, as well as FreeCycle and car boot sales. It didn’t stop at furniture, as Helen found baby clothes and even cloth nappies on second-hand sites that were in good condition, if not new.
“Some of these may be broken or no longer required but they all had an environmental cost to produce and an environmental cost to get rid of. Many of these would be of value to others.
“There are social media sites such as Freecycle, Before the Tip and local Facebook pages where you can advertise items but not everyone uses social media. Charity shops rightly have high standards for furniture and electrical goods which require PAT testing.
7. Online platforms: Several online platforms allow individuals to connect and exchange various items, including puzzles. Websites such as Freecycle, Craigslist, or local Facebook groups can be great places to donate your used puzzles to people who are actively seeking them.
There are a range of ways to find pre-loved clothes – scour the local charity shops, visit freecycle pages and marketplaces on the internet, download free second-hand clothing apps, ask other parents in your school WhatsApp group, find out if your school runs a swap shop or visit retailer’s second-hand shops online.
