Media Resources for The Honesty Jar community re-use project
Below you will find a selection of resources for press releases.
If you have a specific topic or word count, please get in touch,
and we will provide something tailored to your audience space available.
If you have a specific topic or word count, please get in touch,
and we will provide something tailored to your audience space available.
|
Our webpage and social media (especially Facebook) contain many photos.
If you would like high-resolution copies of any of these, please email a screenshot to Sam, and we'll reply with a higher-quality copy. Sam's email... [email protected] Main webpage... www.bearcatcollective.co.uk/the-honesty-jar.html Social Media for The Honesty Jar... www.facebook.com/thehonestyjar www.instagram.com/thehonestyjar In a Nutshell..
The Honesty Jar is an independent local community reuse project with a unique way of helping those in need, it’s a shop with no prices, pay what you feel! Find us in Henstridge on the Dorset/Somerset border, our 40 regular volunteers help to keep the 100 tonnes of donations we receive every year out of landfill. We need your support, it costs £100/day to stay open six days a week 10am-4pm (closed Wednesdays). We accept anything that will fit on a shelf or rail. Donations close at 3pm. You can visit us to find fabulous bargains, join our fundraising events and craft workshops, enter our monthly 50/50 Club prizedraw, or donate to ‘The Jar’ online to keep this great community project sustainable and bringing our 1000 local visitors together every month. |
Larger file size images...
Photo of front of shop 
Women and baby looking through clothes rail
Some volunteers
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Some shop photos for online sharing...
Social Media Post
Imagine a shop where everything has a story - and no price tags! Welcome to The Honesty Jar, your feel-good community reuse project based in Henstridge, right on the Dorset/Somerset border!
It's all about second chances - for both pre-loved items and people. With over 100 tonnes of donations saved from landfill every year, 40 amazing volunteers keep this place running with heart and purpose.
Here’s the twist: You pay what you feel! Yes, it’s shopping powered by kindness.
Open 6 days a week (10am–4pm, closed Wednesdays), and it takes £100 a day to keep the doors open. That’s where you come in!
How you can get involved:
* Find amazing treasures (for whatever you can afford)
* Drop off donations before 3pm (if it fits on a shelf or rail, they'll take it!)
* Join craft workshops & fun fundraisers
* Enter the monthly 50/50 Prize Draw Club
* Or donate online to keep ‘The Jar’ alive and thriving
They welcome over 1,000 visitors every month - be one of them and help us keep this beautiful community project going strong!
Follow, share, support. Let’s do good - together.
Links…
Event diary… https://www.bearcatcollective.co.uk/diary.html
50/50 Club Prizedraw… https://www.bearcatcollective.co.uk/thj5050club.html
#TheHonestyJar #ShopWithHeart #ReuseRevolution #PayWhatYouFeel #CommunityPowered #KindnessEconomy #PrelovedTreasure #WasteNotWantNot #SustainableLiving #LandfillDiversion #EcoCommunity #LocalLegends #SupportLocalProjects #VolunteerVibes #FeelGoodShopping #CraftAndConnect #Henstridge #Sherborne #Somerset #Dorset #SomersetAndDorset
Imagine a shop where everything has a story - and no price tags! Welcome to The Honesty Jar, your feel-good community reuse project based in Henstridge, right on the Dorset/Somerset border!
It's all about second chances - for both pre-loved items and people. With over 100 tonnes of donations saved from landfill every year, 40 amazing volunteers keep this place running with heart and purpose.
Here’s the twist: You pay what you feel! Yes, it’s shopping powered by kindness.
Open 6 days a week (10am–4pm, closed Wednesdays), and it takes £100 a day to keep the doors open. That’s where you come in!
How you can get involved:
* Find amazing treasures (for whatever you can afford)
* Drop off donations before 3pm (if it fits on a shelf or rail, they'll take it!)
* Join craft workshops & fun fundraisers
* Enter the monthly 50/50 Prize Draw Club
* Or donate online to keep ‘The Jar’ alive and thriving
They welcome over 1,000 visitors every month - be one of them and help us keep this beautiful community project going strong!
Follow, share, support. Let’s do good - together.
Links…
Event diary… https://www.bearcatcollective.co.uk/diary.html
50/50 Club Prizedraw… https://www.bearcatcollective.co.uk/thj5050club.html
#TheHonestyJar #ShopWithHeart #ReuseRevolution #PayWhatYouFeel #CommunityPowered #KindnessEconomy #PrelovedTreasure #WasteNotWantNot #SustainableLiving #LandfillDiversion #EcoCommunity #LocalLegends #SupportLocalProjects #VolunteerVibes #FeelGoodShopping #CraftAndConnect #Henstridge #Sherborne #Somerset #Dorset #SomersetAndDorset
Local press release 300 words
Discover Hidden Treasures and Make a Difference at The Honesty Jar
Are you looking for a unique bargain, or maybe a meaningful way to give back to your community? The Honesty Jar in Henstridge invites you to be part of something special. Our community reuse project is a bustling hub where treasures are rediscovered and useful items are kept out of landfill.
We have lots of visitors who explore our huge selection of items, anything that fits on a shelf or rail, from clothes and books to toys, games, textiles and homeware. You can find something unexpected and affordable while supporting a great cause. What makes us unique? We operate on a simple, heartwarming principle: visitors make a voluntary contribution in ‘The Jar,’ allowing them to take home whatever they find regardless of financial means. We also host craft and repair workshops, community events, and family bingo afternoons.
But we’re not just here for the shoppers—we need YOU! We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help us sort, organise, and display donations. It’s a fun and rewarding way to get involved in your community, learn new skills, and meet people. No pricing required—just a helping hand and a positive attitude.
With around 40 volunteers, we process over 100 tonnes of donations annually. Flexible shifts (10am-1pm/1pm-4pm) to fit your schedule, whether you can commit to a regular slot or prefer to pop in occasionally. Open six days a week (10am-4pm every day except Wednesdays), set within the lovely grounds of a family-run garden center, making it a charming spot to volunteer or shop. Ready to join the team? Visit us, message our page on Facebook, or email to find out how you can get involved. Let's make a difference together! [email protected]
Discover Hidden Treasures and Make a Difference at The Honesty Jar
Are you looking for a unique bargain, or maybe a meaningful way to give back to your community? The Honesty Jar in Henstridge invites you to be part of something special. Our community reuse project is a bustling hub where treasures are rediscovered and useful items are kept out of landfill.
We have lots of visitors who explore our huge selection of items, anything that fits on a shelf or rail, from clothes and books to toys, games, textiles and homeware. You can find something unexpected and affordable while supporting a great cause. What makes us unique? We operate on a simple, heartwarming principle: visitors make a voluntary contribution in ‘The Jar,’ allowing them to take home whatever they find regardless of financial means. We also host craft and repair workshops, community events, and family bingo afternoons.
But we’re not just here for the shoppers—we need YOU! We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help us sort, organise, and display donations. It’s a fun and rewarding way to get involved in your community, learn new skills, and meet people. No pricing required—just a helping hand and a positive attitude.
With around 40 volunteers, we process over 100 tonnes of donations annually. Flexible shifts (10am-1pm/1pm-4pm) to fit your schedule, whether you can commit to a regular slot or prefer to pop in occasionally. Open six days a week (10am-4pm every day except Wednesdays), set within the lovely grounds of a family-run garden center, making it a charming spot to volunteer or shop. Ready to join the team? Visit us, message our page on Facebook, or email to find out how you can get involved. Let's make a difference together! [email protected]
400 Words - on some inspiring aspects of the Jar...
Shopping Powered by Kindness: The Honesty Jar Turns Reuse into Community Magic
In a world driven by rising costs and fast fashion, one small project on the Dorset–Somerset border is proving that kindness and trust can build something extraordinary.
Nestled in the grounds of Grassroots Garden & Aquatics Centre, Henstridge, The Honesty Jar is a unique, volunteer-run community reuse project where nothing has a price tag — visitors simply give what they can. Whether that’s a few coins, a card payment, or a smile of thanks, every contribution helps keep the doors open.
Founded by Samantha, who first experienced an “honesty payment system” as a child visiting her grandfather’s caravan site in the Lake District, the project has grown from a single blanket of swap items at a festival campsite into a thriving social hub and sustainability success story.
Each month, The Honesty Jar redistributes around eight tonnes of pre-loved items, saving more than 100 tonnes a year from landfill, while providing affordable essentials for local families. The shop is supported by around 40 volunteers, many of whom are carers, elderly residents, or people managing health challenges. For some, volunteering here is respite, friendship, and therapy rolled into one.
“The Honesty Jar is more than a shop,” says founder Samantha. “It’s about dignity and connection — giving everyone a space to contribute and be valued. When you walk through the door, you’re not just reusing resources; you’re rebuilding community.”
The project’s “pay-what-you-feel” model funds its running costs and creative workshops, helping the team cover the £100 a day needed to operate. Every donation, sale, and event — from bingo nights to craft pop-ups — helps sustain this inspiring local lifeline.
Visitors can browse clothes, books, toys, and homewares, all carefully sorted by volunteers, or join hands-on activities that bring generations together. It’s a place where stories are shared, waste is reduced, and small acts of generosity ripple outward.
As Samantha puts it, “It started with a simple idea — that if you give people trust, they give back more than you ever expect.”
📍 The Honesty Jar, Grassroots Garden & Aquatics Centre, A357 between Henstridge & Stalbridge, BA8 0SA
🕙 Open 10am–4pm, six days a week (closed Wednesday)
🌍 www.bearcatcollective.co.uk
Shopping Powered by Kindness: The Honesty Jar Turns Reuse into Community Magic
In a world driven by rising costs and fast fashion, one small project on the Dorset–Somerset border is proving that kindness and trust can build something extraordinary.
Nestled in the grounds of Grassroots Garden & Aquatics Centre, Henstridge, The Honesty Jar is a unique, volunteer-run community reuse project where nothing has a price tag — visitors simply give what they can. Whether that’s a few coins, a card payment, or a smile of thanks, every contribution helps keep the doors open.
Founded by Samantha, who first experienced an “honesty payment system” as a child visiting her grandfather’s caravan site in the Lake District, the project has grown from a single blanket of swap items at a festival campsite into a thriving social hub and sustainability success story.
Each month, The Honesty Jar redistributes around eight tonnes of pre-loved items, saving more than 100 tonnes a year from landfill, while providing affordable essentials for local families. The shop is supported by around 40 volunteers, many of whom are carers, elderly residents, or people managing health challenges. For some, volunteering here is respite, friendship, and therapy rolled into one.
“The Honesty Jar is more than a shop,” says founder Samantha. “It’s about dignity and connection — giving everyone a space to contribute and be valued. When you walk through the door, you’re not just reusing resources; you’re rebuilding community.”
The project’s “pay-what-you-feel” model funds its running costs and creative workshops, helping the team cover the £100 a day needed to operate. Every donation, sale, and event — from bingo nights to craft pop-ups — helps sustain this inspiring local lifeline.
Visitors can browse clothes, books, toys, and homewares, all carefully sorted by volunteers, or join hands-on activities that bring generations together. It’s a place where stories are shared, waste is reduced, and small acts of generosity ripple outward.
As Samantha puts it, “It started with a simple idea — that if you give people trust, they give back more than you ever expect.”
📍 The Honesty Jar, Grassroots Garden & Aquatics Centre, A357 between Henstridge & Stalbridge, BA8 0SA
🕙 Open 10am–4pm, six days a week (closed Wednesday)
🌍 www.bearcatcollective.co.uk
Below you will find some alternative resources 600 Word editorial on how the project came into existence
The Honesty Jar – How a Small Idea Grew Into a Big Community MovementIn a world where prices keep climbing and waste keeps piling up, one small project on the Dorset–Somerset border is quietly rewriting the rules of how communities can work together.
The Honesty Jar, tucked inside the grounds of Grassroots Garden & Aquatics Centre in Henstridge, began with a simple belief — that when people are trusted, they do extraordinary things. Today, it’s a bustling community reuse shop where nothing has a price tag. Instead, visitors are invited to take what they need and contribute what they can, whether that’s a few coins, a card payment, or a smile.
But the story of The Honesty Jar didn’t start in a shop. It started on a blanket at a festival campsite.
Founder Samantha, who now runs the project under the umbrella of BearCat Collective, was once touring with a Victorian horse-drawn stage. One weekend, she laid out a few items she no longer needed and invited fellow campers to swap what they had. What unfolded was pure serendipity: people found just what they needed — a spoon, a jumper, a toy for a restless child — and others joyfully gave away things they didn’t. For Samantha, it was a moment of magic: “There was this sense that everything was finding the right home at the right time. It wasn’t about money — it was about trust and connection.”
That simple experience planted a seed. Samantha’s inspiration also reached back to her childhood in the Lake District, where her grandfather ran a caravan site. There was one shared telephone, bolted to the outside of the barn, and beside it a little jam jar with a note asking people to “contribute towards the cost of your call.” It was her first introduction to the idea that a community could function on honesty and goodwill.
Later in life, while visiting a community fair, Samantha encountered another example — a teepee café with a sign reading “The Magic Hat.” Guests were told that if enough donations were left in the hat at the end of the day, the organisers could afford to open again tomorrow. This simple idea — letting people choose how much they could afford to give — transformed the atmosphere from one of transaction to one of collaboration.
As Samantha’s life moved away from the corporate world, she began hosting pop-up SwapShops in village halls and community cafés, mixing live music, crafts, storytelling and tea with opportunities to exchange items instead of buying them. People who were struggling financially could still access essentials, while those with more to give could contribute generously, supporting the sustainability of the events.
The popularity of those pop-ups led to something permanent. In 2021, The Honesty Jar opened its doors as a full-time community reuse project. It now diverts over 100 tonnes of items from landfill every year, all managed by around 40 local volunteers who give more than 450 hours of their time each month.
Many of those volunteers are elderly, home carers, or people managing mental and physical health challenges. For them, volunteering is more than helping others — it’s a lifeline. “For some of our team, coming here is the only time they get to socialise or have a break from caring,” Samantha explains. “It’s community in the truest sense.”
Running The Honesty Jar is no small task. There’s the logistics of sorting donations, managing storage, and keeping everything safe and tidy — all while maintaining the friendly, personal feel that makes it special. Behind the scenes, a full-time shop manager helps coordinate volunteers, fundraising, and off-site storage for seasonal items, ensuring that everything donated gets rehomed at the right time of year.
Visitors to The Honesty Jar can find everything from clothes, toys, books, and DVDs to craft materials, bedding, and kitchenware. There are even pop-up events, workshops and seasonal sales, all helping raise funds to cover the £100 a day it costs to keep the project running.
But at its heart, The Honesty Jar is about more than recycling. It’s about trust, inclusion, and generosity — about the quiet revolution that happens when a community believes in itself.
As Samantha puts it: “Every item here has a story, and every person who walks through our doors becomes part of it. When you give people choice and trust, they always give back more than you expect.”
The Honesty Jar – How a Small Idea Grew Into a Big Community MovementIn a world where prices keep climbing and waste keeps piling up, one small project on the Dorset–Somerset border is quietly rewriting the rules of how communities can work together.
The Honesty Jar, tucked inside the grounds of Grassroots Garden & Aquatics Centre in Henstridge, began with a simple belief — that when people are trusted, they do extraordinary things. Today, it’s a bustling community reuse shop where nothing has a price tag. Instead, visitors are invited to take what they need and contribute what they can, whether that’s a few coins, a card payment, or a smile.
But the story of The Honesty Jar didn’t start in a shop. It started on a blanket at a festival campsite.
Founder Samantha, who now runs the project under the umbrella of BearCat Collective, was once touring with a Victorian horse-drawn stage. One weekend, she laid out a few items she no longer needed and invited fellow campers to swap what they had. What unfolded was pure serendipity: people found just what they needed — a spoon, a jumper, a toy for a restless child — and others joyfully gave away things they didn’t. For Samantha, it was a moment of magic: “There was this sense that everything was finding the right home at the right time. It wasn’t about money — it was about trust and connection.”
That simple experience planted a seed. Samantha’s inspiration also reached back to her childhood in the Lake District, where her grandfather ran a caravan site. There was one shared telephone, bolted to the outside of the barn, and beside it a little jam jar with a note asking people to “contribute towards the cost of your call.” It was her first introduction to the idea that a community could function on honesty and goodwill.
Later in life, while visiting a community fair, Samantha encountered another example — a teepee café with a sign reading “The Magic Hat.” Guests were told that if enough donations were left in the hat at the end of the day, the organisers could afford to open again tomorrow. This simple idea — letting people choose how much they could afford to give — transformed the atmosphere from one of transaction to one of collaboration.
As Samantha’s life moved away from the corporate world, she began hosting pop-up SwapShops in village halls and community cafés, mixing live music, crafts, storytelling and tea with opportunities to exchange items instead of buying them. People who were struggling financially could still access essentials, while those with more to give could contribute generously, supporting the sustainability of the events.
The popularity of those pop-ups led to something permanent. In 2021, The Honesty Jar opened its doors as a full-time community reuse project. It now diverts over 100 tonnes of items from landfill every year, all managed by around 40 local volunteers who give more than 450 hours of their time each month.
Many of those volunteers are elderly, home carers, or people managing mental and physical health challenges. For them, volunteering is more than helping others — it’s a lifeline. “For some of our team, coming here is the only time they get to socialise or have a break from caring,” Samantha explains. “It’s community in the truest sense.”
Running The Honesty Jar is no small task. There’s the logistics of sorting donations, managing storage, and keeping everything safe and tidy — all while maintaining the friendly, personal feel that makes it special. Behind the scenes, a full-time shop manager helps coordinate volunteers, fundraising, and off-site storage for seasonal items, ensuring that everything donated gets rehomed at the right time of year.
Visitors to The Honesty Jar can find everything from clothes, toys, books, and DVDs to craft materials, bedding, and kitchenware. There are even pop-up events, workshops and seasonal sales, all helping raise funds to cover the £100 a day it costs to keep the project running.
But at its heart, The Honesty Jar is about more than recycling. It’s about trust, inclusion, and generosity — about the quiet revolution that happens when a community believes in itself.
As Samantha puts it: “Every item here has a story, and every person who walks through our doors becomes part of it. When you give people choice and trust, they always give back more than you expect.”
More Words on 'The Jar' ...
Uniting for a Greener, Kinder Future: The Heartwarming Mission of The Honesty Jar
In a quiet corner on the Dorset-Somerset border, something extraordinary is happening. At first glance, The Honesty Jar SwapShop in Henstridge may look like a humble collection of second-hand treasures, but dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover a vibrant, community-driven initiative that’s changing lives, forging new friendships, and helping the environment—one donation at a time.
Run entirely by volunteers, The Honesty Jar is no ordinary shop. There are no fixed prices here. Instead, visitors are invited to make a voluntary donation—whatever they can afford—into “The Jar.” This simple concept allows everyone, regardless of income, to access useful items ranging from clothes and books to toys, games, and homeware. It’s a dignified, inclusive way to redistribute resources while supporting a greater mission: strengthening community bonds and promoting sustainability.
At its core, The Honesty Jar is about connection. Not just with material goods, but with people. It’s a space where generosity flows freely, where a once-loved toy might bring joy to a new family, or a forgotten book sparks inspiration in a new reader. It’s a model of circular economy in action, where giving and receiving are equally valued.
Since its inception in 2019—an initiative by the local BearCat Collective—The Honesty Jar has grown into a lively, purposeful hub. Operating from the family run Grassroots Garden Centre, the SwapShop attracts around 1,000 visitors every month. Volunteers, roughly 40 strong, keep the wheels turning, collectively processing over 100 tonnes of donations every year. That’s 100 tonnes kept out of landfill, rehomed and repurposed within the local community.
And the impact doesn’t end there.
Profits generated from donations go back into the community through a variety of family-friendly events and essential training programs. Live music, craft days, and bingo afternoons bring neighbours together, while workshops on mental health, autism awareness, and dementia care provide vital education and support. Additionally, selected items are gifted to local organisations assisting people facing homelessness, hardship, and isolation.
What’s truly inspiring is how The Honesty Jar has become a platform for collective action. Whether it’s dropping off items (before 3pm, please!), volunteering for a three-hour shift, or simply popping coins in The Jar, every contribution—no matter how small—plays a part in sustaining this social and environmental mission. It costs around £100 a day to keep the project running six days a week, yet it’s powered almost entirely by goodwill and community spirit, contritbutions are welcome by card and paypal too.
Volunteering here isn’t just about sorting clothes or tidying shelves. It’s a chance to meet new people, share skills, and be part of something bigger than yourself. Flexible shifts make it accessible to all, whether you're a regular helper or a spontaneous drop-in. For many, it’s also a source of personal enrichment—offering purpose, connection, and the simple joy of making a difference.
In a time when many communities are becoming increasingly disconnected, The Honesty Jar is a refreshing reminder of what we can achieve together. It proves that with a little heart and a lot of teamwork, a few unwanted items can spark hope, foster resilience, and build a stronger, more compassionate world.
So, next time you're nearby, why not stop in? Discover a hidden gem, lend a hand, or just say hello. Because at The Honesty Jar, everyone is welcome—and every little act of kindness helps the whole community thrive.
To learn more or get involved, visit us at the Grassroots Garden Centre (open 10am–4pm, closed Wednesdays), message us on Facebook, or email [email protected]. Let's build something beautiful—together.
Uniting for a Greener, Kinder Future: The Heartwarming Mission of The Honesty Jar
In a quiet corner on the Dorset-Somerset border, something extraordinary is happening. At first glance, The Honesty Jar SwapShop in Henstridge may look like a humble collection of second-hand treasures, but dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover a vibrant, community-driven initiative that’s changing lives, forging new friendships, and helping the environment—one donation at a time.
Run entirely by volunteers, The Honesty Jar is no ordinary shop. There are no fixed prices here. Instead, visitors are invited to make a voluntary donation—whatever they can afford—into “The Jar.” This simple concept allows everyone, regardless of income, to access useful items ranging from clothes and books to toys, games, and homeware. It’s a dignified, inclusive way to redistribute resources while supporting a greater mission: strengthening community bonds and promoting sustainability.
At its core, The Honesty Jar is about connection. Not just with material goods, but with people. It’s a space where generosity flows freely, where a once-loved toy might bring joy to a new family, or a forgotten book sparks inspiration in a new reader. It’s a model of circular economy in action, where giving and receiving are equally valued.
Since its inception in 2019—an initiative by the local BearCat Collective—The Honesty Jar has grown into a lively, purposeful hub. Operating from the family run Grassroots Garden Centre, the SwapShop attracts around 1,000 visitors every month. Volunteers, roughly 40 strong, keep the wheels turning, collectively processing over 100 tonnes of donations every year. That’s 100 tonnes kept out of landfill, rehomed and repurposed within the local community.
And the impact doesn’t end there.
Profits generated from donations go back into the community through a variety of family-friendly events and essential training programs. Live music, craft days, and bingo afternoons bring neighbours together, while workshops on mental health, autism awareness, and dementia care provide vital education and support. Additionally, selected items are gifted to local organisations assisting people facing homelessness, hardship, and isolation.
What’s truly inspiring is how The Honesty Jar has become a platform for collective action. Whether it’s dropping off items (before 3pm, please!), volunteering for a three-hour shift, or simply popping coins in The Jar, every contribution—no matter how small—plays a part in sustaining this social and environmental mission. It costs around £100 a day to keep the project running six days a week, yet it’s powered almost entirely by goodwill and community spirit, contritbutions are welcome by card and paypal too.
Volunteering here isn’t just about sorting clothes or tidying shelves. It’s a chance to meet new people, share skills, and be part of something bigger than yourself. Flexible shifts make it accessible to all, whether you're a regular helper or a spontaneous drop-in. For many, it’s also a source of personal enrichment—offering purpose, connection, and the simple joy of making a difference.
In a time when many communities are becoming increasingly disconnected, The Honesty Jar is a refreshing reminder of what we can achieve together. It proves that with a little heart and a lot of teamwork, a few unwanted items can spark hope, foster resilience, and build a stronger, more compassionate world.
So, next time you're nearby, why not stop in? Discover a hidden gem, lend a hand, or just say hello. Because at The Honesty Jar, everyone is welcome—and every little act of kindness helps the whole community thrive.
To learn more or get involved, visit us at the Grassroots Garden Centre (open 10am–4pm, closed Wednesdays), message us on Facebook, or email [email protected]. Let's build something beautiful—together.
