Big ole' charity shop is this one. It stands on the traffic island in Blackheath along with a…read moreWilkinsons and the Shoulder of Mutton pub. From the outside, this charity shop looks very professional, almost like a department charity shop. When you get in there however, it looks like someone started off with great intentions of a tidy and well laid-out shop, then got bored halfway through and didn't finish tidying. I feel raving dissing charity shops because for me part of the whole point is that they're not High Street shops, they're not false; they're honest and wonderful little places just trying to make money for their cause. In this case, perhaps just a little bit of a white lie might help. If only because the books are all over the place! Every part of the shop you walk you'll find a handful of books. I'm all for a lived-in look for charity shops because the point is that most, if not all of its stock has been lived in. But when you see how good some of the other charity shops in Blackheath are, you'd know that there needs to be a bit (just a bit!) of game-raising as well as fund-raising.

I first encountered this secret, used furniture, charity shop heaven when working on a project that…read morerequired 10 vintage wardrobes. The staff were amazing, did us an even better deal as I was working for a charity and even delivered for a small fee. Since that time about 5 years ago i often pop back either for a mooch or when I have specific furniture needs. It's a warehouse space with minimal parking out front but you'll know you've reached the right place as you'll spot the mini buses outside. With regular pick ups it's the type of place you should visit regularly and if this one is a bit far out for you then they have a few other branches in Bilston and Coventry too. They mainly sell furniture but they also have a little room full of crockery, knik-knaks and assorted bric-a-brac. You will get a bargain here. I've bought two standard lamps with big shades for less than £25, midwinter 50's serving dishes and the most random printer table that looks like oversized books. Admittedly that wasn't designed as a printer table but it was the right size and i couldn't resist the whimsy of it. For all your vintage shopping needs, charity feel good factor and a good mooch you should visit here. Even if you don't buy anything the staff are helpful and give good banter.

I love vintage, but I can't always afford to sustain my passion. That's where Community Transport…read morecomes in. A huge warehouse full of old and/or vintage furniture, with a small little shop tagged on the side which has shelves of vintage homewares, ceramics, records, books and other trinkets - plus a large selection of mirrors! It works like a charity shop - the sales of all goods go towards sustaining the transport service in the area which consists of mini buses transporting people in need about. Awesome! More awesome are the bargains to be had - we got the weirdest drawer unit in the shape of a pile of giant books for £20, a 1970s set of decorative bowls for £12 and a large ornate mirror for £5! Win!

Only really knowing the Care & Share shop in Londonderry, I was expecting a similar kind of…read moreslightly musty emporium with darkened corners filled with James Last cassettes. How wrong I was, for this Sally Army-supporting shop is small enough and has the ambience to suggest that you've wandered into someone's living room by accident. You walk in and up a small ramp and you're already about halfway down the shop. The folk in there are lovely, the place is clean and bright and the stock selection is really good in terms of quantity and quality - I snapped up a Douglas Coupland novel for 25p. There was a big pile of albums too but they weren't very accessible being lined up against the wall under some other stock at the bottom of a staircase. Blackheath has some very unusual but very inviting charity shops, so if you like spending a morning traipsing round in search of books, ties, jigsaws or whatever ephemera floats your vessel - hop on a 128, 404 or 140 and have a ride up.

This building dates back to 1876, when it was used as a junior and infant school. The school closed…read moredown in 1982 and the building was changed and adapted to become the Cradley Heath Community Centre and Citizens Advice Bureau. The centre has two large rooms and two smaller rooms that can be hired for functions, clubs and meetings. It is home to Cradley Heath Model Railway Club and also hosts loads of other activities including dog training sessions, Zumba classes, slimming groups and local councillor surgeries. I really like the building, but I fear that it is getting a bit run down and neglected. The community centre still plays a big part in local life and gets really busy during classes and events. Yet at quieter times, local kids tend to mess about around the building and I once saw one idiot climbing onto the apex of the roof.

I always thought this place was a school, til i saw the adverts for zumba outside on the gates…read more Well it was a school til it became a community centre and home for most the clubs in Cradley. Like the rest of Craldey is looks abit rubbish from the outside, and the inside still looks like a school. Everything here is council funded and in my opinion that means you'll find a leveled very safe and standard service throughout. Avoid if possible.