An illustration of an old-school 'dogs for the blind' collection boxes that used to sit outside charity shops. The purple-patched spaniel wears a collection box around its neck. Over it is a banner that reads, 'The Anti Charity Shop'.

About

Who I am, what this website is and why I made it.

Welcome to The Anti Charity Shop.

This website is not actually a shop.

It is a catalogue of products made by Deaf, disabled, learning disabled, autistic and neurodivergent makers. The idea began as a thread on Twitter in 2019 because I wanted to directly support disabled-led businesses and make it easy for others to do so too. To shop, simply click on the product that interests you to be linked to the maker’s own site.

This website is not anti-charity shops.

Believe me when I say I love a charity shop! Browsing charity shops is my favourite past time. But I also want to believe that one day, our world will be so accessible, inclusive and equitable that there will be no need for charity shops and we can all carry on enjoying them as newly-branded ‘second hand stores’.

This website is not anti-charity.

I believe that charities can play a really important role in society. They can raise funds for important causes and raise awareness of issues that need our attention and of the people who deserve our support. But not every charity was created equal and it is my belief that the bigger a charity gets the less likely it is to provide tailored, empowering and meaningful support.

Models of disability

Now, there are different ways of thinking about disability. The one that is probably the most well-known is The Medical Model of Disability, which suggests that a body or mind is broken and needs to be fixed or cured.

Another way of thinking is The Charity Model of Disability, which suggests that being disabled is a terrible tragedy, that disabled people should be pitied and that non-disabled people should be inspired by disabled people just…well, existing.

Both of these models of thinking are offensive, unhelpful and othering.

I subscribe to the Social Model of Disability, which says that every body and mind is different and that it is society’s failure to account for difference that is the issue. The world would not exclude people if society would cater to difference in its design.

So, that is why this website is called The Anti Charity Shop. Do not pity us, do not find us inspirational, do not think we need fixing- but DO buy the cool stuff we make!

A photo of Jess, a white person with long brown hair in a low ponytail and a fringe. Jess is smiling and is wearing a pink beret, glittery eyeshadow and, bright coral neckerchief and a brown leather coat..

Jess

I’m Jess and I’m the creator of The Anti Charity shop and the original Twitter thread. I’m a multi-disciplinary artist, theatre-maker, producer, acting coach and access coordinator working in TV, film and theatre. I’m neurodivergent and I live by the sea.

Nick is a white man with short brown hair and beard. He is in front of a turquoise background and is wearing a taupe jacket with sheepskin lining. He is raising one eyebrow to the camera.

Nick

Nick was the first to reach out as a sponsor for this site when I did a call-out on Twitter. Nick is a voice-coach and actor. He’s also a really wonderful pal and very kind human. And if you love the accents the actors do on The Crown, then you also have Nick to thank for that.

Jules is a white woman with very short grey hair. She is smiling broadly and her dimples are showing. She is wearing a black t-shirt with white bold text that reads, 'We are all human here.'

Jules

Jules runs Brazen Productions, an independent TV production company that was formed to develop projects with and about autistic, neurodiverse and disabled creatives. She is our second sponsor for this site. Jules is a seasoned biker, a sibling carer and creator of the Call It app. Basically, Jules is super rad.

Become a sponsor

The overheads for and maintenance of this site are covered until November 2023.

Get in touch by email if you would like to be our next sponsor.

Thanks

The businesses I have featured here were found through many internet searches and social media call-outs. I’d like to thank all those people who have helped in that quest, especially Chronically Jenni and Caprice Kwai whose own disabled-maker directories provided this site with many treasured businesses and who are, themselves, wonderful disabled makers.

Finally, a big cheers to everyone who supported the Twitter list over the years. You really know how to spend your money wisely!