This branch of The British Heart Foundation has a spacious shop floor with which to display large…read moreitems of furniture that don't fit in the smaller outlets. It also carries smaller items of furniture, as well as white goods and general electricals. Sadly, the white goods and electricals are not reconditioned, and so they will only accept items that are working at the time of donation, but there's no guarantee that they will continue to do so once you get them home. They do perform function and PAT tests, so the portable appliances are likely to be more reliable. Nevertheless, white goods are the biggest sellers, which is pretty much the same story across the 87 outlets of this kind throughout the UK. Because of this they are always on the lookout for donations to replenish their white goods stock. It's always best to check with them first before loading heavy items into your car and hauling them all the way to the shop, as they will refuse certain items. They won't accept any gas cookers for instance. They also sell some new stock at reasonable prices. This is not damaged or redundant stock. Instead, they rely on buying in lesser known brands that do not carry such a hefty price tag.

Now we're talking. I've been looking for a place like this since I've moved to the UK - a showroom…read morewith an extensive range of second-hand furniture and electronics, not overpriced "antiques". Charity shops carrying larger home items are quite common in Florida, and all of the furniture in my respective family members' houses are sourced from these "thrift stores" and then reupholstered or repainted. Thankfully, this makes it difficult to spend £2,000 on a hutch or dining room table. Speaking of costs, the price here are rock bottom: Sturdy wooden dining sets for under £100, TVs for £25 and bedside tables for a fiver. For me, the appeal is owning a piece of furniture that can't be found in every home in Britain (ahem, IKEA). The staff here incredibly helpful - I wasn't in here five minutes before two members of staff politely informed me that the shop had an upstairs stock room, in case I couldn't find anything I wanted on the ground floor.

Track 2000 converts tat into treasure…read more This not-for-profit organisation offers second hand furniture to those on a low income, it also trains the unemployed and aids the recycling effort to boot. You can pick up second hand beds, settees, wardrobes and white goods from their warehouse. The ethos is great and it's a fantastic asset for the Cardiff community, but I did find some of the furniture a little overpriced and some of the sofas in need a clean. The building itself is Victorian red brick, with a number of large biodiesel powered lorries loitering outside. Look out for the washing machine drums on the side of the building, which offering fantastic natural drainage and have been converted into ingenious plant holders. Bonus: Just ask and Track 2000 will deliver your furniture purchases

You wouldn't think looking at the urban front of the Adamsdown Resource Centre that there is a…read moresecret paradise of willow arches and fresh fruit, veg and flowers within, but there is and it's beautiful. This community garden is just one of the resources the Centre offers you as well as the chance to become involved in maintaining it. If you live in Adamsdown then you are lucky to have such a fantastic resource on your doorstep. Out of the Centre's offices come walks and workshops, classes, meetings, training, festivals and fun days. Their windows are plastered with posters offering a 'free homework club', 'summer woodwork project', the chance to 'sing in a community choir'. ...And they're open to other suggestions, this is a community space, this is your space. If you live in Adamsdown and want to get to know your neighbours, knock on this door, grab a cup of tea and get involved.

As I said in my previous review, I do not use the Grangetown branch of the Salvation Army because I…read moream religious, but because during the day it lends its space to various community groups and it provides a fantastic large space for my wee one to play. For those of you who would like to know more about the church I have been told by Eric, the musical director of the brass band that the illusive 'prayer books' are there in plain view! I mentioned the Sally Army's brass passion, but the Salvation Army also have a music Group (Piano, Guitars, Percussion etc ) and a mixed vocal choir to enhance their worship. Eric says: "We try not to ram our beliefs down anyone's throats as we have all faiths using our Church ( and they feel comfortable doing so) in this age of intolerance that is a mighty step forward."

Of course the salvation army bands have a high reputation as musicians The band playing Christmas…read morecarols in the city has almost become part of Christmas itself. This is the visual (and aural ) part of the army's work as they carry out unseen a high degree of social work that is done by filling in the gap left by the government social services or perhaps in areas where it does not function The 'soup run' for example is to be commended where volunteers give up their nightly beauty sleep to visit the 'down and out' living rough in Cardiff city ,taking hot soup, blankets and help when it is needed. Occasionally they have to deal with mentally confused people which is sometimes dangerous. They are really the good Samaritans . They are, of course, not the only organisation carrying out this good work but they are the forerunners of social care in this country. Whenever there is a disaster of any kind they are always there providing hot drinks and comfort to the victims. The list of social work that the army carries out is too extensive for this short note. One cannot praise the work of this (almost) unseen army too highly.

Penarth is the obvious choice for charity shop bargain hunters because there are so many in a small…read moreconcentrated area. They each have their specialties and I pride myself on being able to sniff out just what each one is famed for. There isn't a huge selection of books unlike the almighty oxfam a few door up the road but there is a huge choice of clothes and retro kitsch bric a brack items.

Cancer Research is a clean and tidy charity shop in Penarth selling the usual ranges of books,…read morebric-a-brac and clothing. It's one of the more well-presented shops I've been to, boasting a wide selection of both new and second hand items. The front window features the newly-added Breast Cancer range, with pink dominating the display: toys, slippers, jewellery, bags, with all proceeds benefitting the afore-mentioned charity. There's not much in the way of bric-a-brac, but clothes horses will be more than pleased with the amount of garments on offer. Books, framed pictures and shoes also have equal billing here. Yikes, even the Christmas cards are out, which is a fast-approaching holiday I'm just not ready for yet. Sadly, there were no 12-inch records for sale, but there's plenty here to keep my bargain-hunting spirit lifted.

I learned something new today…read more During my visit to the Butetown History and Arts Centre, I discovered photographer Bert Hardy, thanks to the lovely lady perched behind the desk. I've only known the Bay since my move here in 2006, so I can only imagine the amount of history and culture I'm missing out on. To be honest, I think I'd prefer Tiger Bay to its glossy Disney successor, after wistfully gazing at Bert Hardy's photo depiction of Cardiff life which hang on the centre's walls. After commenting about how I love portraits, but "hate photos of trees and stuff" (I really shouldn't be let out of the house), she helpfully motioned me to the corner bookshelf where she pulled out a few books, one showcasing Bert Hardy's portraits, and the other featuring photos of the area's Somali population taken by the Centre's Director, Glenn Jordan. Unfortunately, I dropped in as the centre was undergoing a refurbishment, so I was only allowed to browse through the ground floor room, which was a shame, but like any promising prospect, I came away wanting more. Best of all, it's FREE!

If you're looking to spend a day in Cardiff Bay be sure to stop by the Butetown Historical centre -…read morereminisce about how Tiger Bay used to look and the trade boom that came with industrialisation. Lots of beautiful art work and information points available. Sadly often overlooked due to it's dodgy locale, but worth straying off the beaten track to check out.

This registered charity offers training and experience in music, video, computers and graphics to…read moreyoung people aged 16-25 in the Cardiff area. It aims to help young people recognise their potential and give them a greater sense of self-worth by offering learning opportunities in a relaxed and friendly environment in the heart of the city centre. From photographic and image manipulation courses to video-making taster workshops, it's a hub of musical and other activity. Some young people take longer courses at the centre that lead to qualifications, while others just join in shorter activity workshops or one-off events. There's also a cheap coffee bar based at Grassroots to give young people the chance to drop in to socialise or find out more about what's on offer. There's an advice office, too, providing a free drop-in service covering issues and problems of relevance to young people.

A charity with its heart firmly in the right place, Grassroots is a tireless trainer of arty…read morepursuits to young people. If you're 16-25 and want to get skills and advice in music, video, computers, graphics, photography, performance or the Internet, they can help. Several years back there were also regular lo-fi gigs at its Charles Street base, while a coffee shop remains at the premises, proving Grassroots walks it as well as it talks it.

Cardiff Health Alliance exists to try to improve the health and well being of Cardiff citizens -…read moreand working to reduce health inequalities that exist within the City. It was established in 2000 in response to the Government's policy for improving health and reducing inequalities in health status - and it is now co-ordinating Cardiff's World Health Organization (WHO) 'Healthy City' programme, which is also concerned with health inequalities and urban poverty, the needs of vulnerable groups, and the social, economic and environmental determinants of health. Cardiff Health Alliance goes about its work by trying to get a wider understanding of how health improvements can be achieved, and by promoting joint working across health, social care and voluntary sector services. It also works to increase local public health skills, develop local health promotion, facilitate a network for sharing information and support communities in action to improve health, living conditions and life chances.

This non-profit organisation works to support artists across Wales, and spanning all the various…read moreart forms. It acts as a contact and information point for artists, with their newsletter Canfas highlighting arts projects, news and opportunities throughout the country and beyond. Their website features a handy directory of all of Wales's main cultural arts organisations, which is useful for artists looking for collaborations, work or contacts. They also have a fund for international opportunities, for artists who are interested in collaborating on projects with artists and organisations overseas. You can also sign up to their email newsletter to keep up to date with their most recent activities - or check the website news, which is updated quite frequently with about a story a week.

Wales Arts International is a fantastic organisation established in partnership between the Arts…read moreCouncil of Wales and the British Council. It has purpose, namely promoting intercultural dialogue and collaboration between artists and cultural organisations committed to contemporary practise. WAI aims to help build a dynamic international context to the arts in Wales. They act as a point of contact, offering info and advice through their website, networks and international projects as well as their excellent newsletter Canfas which covers news and opportunities for creatives both locally and internationally. Want to do some creative work or artistic collaboration abroad? WAI have stacks of good info online as well as a tiptop directory of Wales' leading cultural arts organisations. They also have dosh for things like this and administer the International Opportunities Fund through which artists can apply for up to £3,000 towards the costs of international activity, ranging from performing at a music festival overseas or exhibiting new work at a gallery, to developing new work with a theatre company or undertaking an artist's residency. Other work that WAI undertake includes developing a series of residencies, seminars, workshops, study visits and selected showcases in order to cultivate strong cultural networks between Wales and the rest of the world. Personally, I'd like to be awarded some dosh to go abroad and do fantastic arty things, so I'm going to give them a big thumbs up and hope they don't become another casualty of funding cuts.

Like nearly all charity shops, Scope offers your usual selection of second-hand clothes, books, CDs…read moreand knick knacks. Scope stands alone among Churchill Way's solicitors' offices, night clubs, and beauty therapy salons; you normally find clusters of charity shops in the Cathays/Roath sections of the city, or by the street leading to Cardiff Central Railway Station, so Scope is a welcomed good-conscious shopping retreat in the Queen Street area. It's worth mentioning that this particular location is one of most tidy charity shops around and a pleasure to browse through. The shop assistants are always lovely and up for a chat. As it's located right next door to my occasional hairdressers Toni & Guy, Scope is one of my favourite spots to spend a few minutes browsing before I get my locks chopped.

Psst... Pssssst... Would you like to know a secret?…read more This is one of the best charity shops in Cardiff. Which charity shop is the best in a given city is a pretty nebulous thing to try and gauge; given the nature of the business, their stock and the quality of the goods changes all the time. There are rarely any consistent staff members and there is no guarantee you'll ever get what you've been looking for. However, thanks to the location, this one is one of the better ones. It has the advantage of being where no one expects it to be, and because of this the people who already know about it, know about it and the people who don't are unlikely to amble in by accident. It actually has a rather regular customer base for its location; I've been in there a few times and seen the same people again and again, and I think this is due to consistency. Whereas the shops in Roath and Cathays are a constant bustle of activity, with people hunting out the best deals all the time, this Scope is a more relaxed affair, where you have more chance of actually getting something worth getting.