The Salvation Army UK & Ireland Avis 

The Salvation Army have done wonderful acts of kindness for many homeless individuals, especially in my country, the United Kingdom.

However, some of the choices they make leave me a little uncomfortable with directly supporting them. I would suggest anyone thinking of supporting The Salvation Army to do a bit of research first, as although they have achieved a lot, there’s still a lot of issues with this organisation that I don’t think are in line with 21st century values.

There were two homeless man lay outside there big building in Warrington. it was freezing cold and no one from the salvation army give them a blanket or any food.

Having finished the season working in a holiday camp I arrived in Bournemouth with little money it was the weekend so spent the last of it on 2 nights b&b as employment agencies not open at weekend. Bournemouth is a frightening place for a 17 year old homeless person it was October and snowing I kept on the move and slept in the toilets at night. One of the people from the b&b saw me soaked to the skin and frozen and decided to take me to the local salvation army to see if he could get me some help. They were having band practice in the hall so he politely waited for a gap then explained the position. They were rude and agressive backing him out of the hall saying he was disturbing their practice and threatening to call the police to have us removed. As I was a missing person I left with the kind man following shortly after he was shocked by their attitude and said he'd never give to them again. I have never given to them and tell everyone my story. I was only on the streets for the few days it took me to find a job in a local restaurant and accrue enough hours to get a sub on my wages and get a very small room in a house. I had no issues with drugs or alcohol I was cold and wet exhausted from the need to keep moving and stay out of sight having been approached by suspect looking men who wanted to take me home. A couple of people saw me asleep in the toilets and left a few pounds for me to get some food I never knew who they were. A lady let me shower and dried all my clothes as my tote bag was not waterproof she also tried to get me help from the salvation army and similar christian organisations but the advice was that if I was causing a nuisance to call the police. A cafe owner didn't complain when I made my tea last an hour and bought me over some toast ....Small acts of kindness unbidden and wanting nothing in return which I have always remembered. I was very lucky my story had a happy ending and I never looked back. Don't waste your money on the salvation army.

Last time I was at Salvation Army in Partick (Glasgow). A member of staff made me feel like an idiot. No professional manners or whatsoever regardless I'm local and regular there.
Absolutely no manners at all. You think that you pushed them to volunteer and work for the charity. The till staff don't even say thank you or being friendly regardless if you spent £5 or £500. I can't say for all staff though as some of the volunteer staff are good.
The prices as well are ridiculous. Sometimes the same stuff you buy at the shop much cheaper. I just don't understand that.

My wife had just past away and I wanted to donate her belongings, like medical supplies still in bags, never used. I was greeted with the most disgusting attitude I've ever have thrown at me. I was already grieving because of her passing and this idiot, who had NO idea what I was going through decided to throw me an attitude. Never again will I throw any money/change/cash or ANYTHING in them kettles again. BTW, stop ringing your bell cause it isn't working anymore for getting anything from me. you're done!!

Staff are so rude at the Norwich, Boundary Road shop, won’t be going there again.

I recently arranged for a bed to be picked up that was in good condition only 6 months old belong to my 15 year old niece .. Excellent condition actually except for 1 longish mark on top end of mattress . Which I have now removed with stain remover. The driver was extremely rude making me feel the lowest of the low for trying to donate this bed . I understand they don't want to except stained mattresses but this was so small a make and his attitude was disgusting . I won't be going near them again

I used one of their youth clubs in the 70,s and decided to phone in at Xmas after seeing an advert on television. I donated 500£ as I had not gifted a lot to charity that year. For the next 3 years I received weekly begging letters for money, sone of which were so thick , they must have cost 2-3 £ in postage . Never again !

I needed help with a food parcel to help me through till my next pay date and they helped me without prejudice (sometimes I've found at certain places they can make you feel uncomfortable for seeking help) but they have been amazing to me! I cannot thank you enough, you have helped me so much and I am so grateful! Brilliant charity. Deserve more than 5 stars! 👏👏👏

The Salvation Army provides lunch every day for as many people who that show up in a very clean well run facility. I don't know how many branches are in the vine but they manage many charitable services locally as well. They foster volunteers & convicts required to do commuity service with excellence. It is a fine organization run by the best people helping as many other people as they can.

The Salvation Army in Peterborough have stepped in to shop for my 83 year old father after he was abandoned by age uk in the wake of the corona virus. I can’t thank Salvation Army enough for their care and support.

Confirmed a pick-up for two beautiful, solid oak cabinets, that there would be no problem with this furniture. My friend waited all day to help of need be, and, because we had them in the garage. We removed a piece of trim so that they would not be damaged, and could insert after the delivery.
Long story short, the lazy drivers told my friend they are fiberboard, they are OAK! AND, because the trim on top was off, he explained no they are not, and could have put the piece on in 30 secs. I called the management, and they said they would have taken them if the trim was on!! My friend was there to help! Plus, they may have damaged them if we had not taken it off!!
I WILL NEVER DONATE TO SALVATION ARMY AGAIN!
It sounds like they are in it only for pure profit, and something this nice, someone would have loved and it would have taken a couple extra minutes to adjust for display. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!!
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These people are workers of iniquity. They were running a very dangerous homeless shelter and I was severely injured there. They didn't care and didn't do a thing about it. Thanks alot.

I visited the Salvation Army shop in Durham on the 1st November 2019. When I went in, I noticed the door was open and a fan heater was on above the entrance to the shop. I made a polite comment to the lady in the shop regarding the fan heater being on with the door held open. She became angry and was very rude telling me that it was Salvation Army policy to leave the door open and that I should take my preaching of global warming somewhere else. She threatened to call the police on me, even though I had been very polite and never raised my voice once. Very disappointed with the Salvation Army. What's the point of buying something in this charity shop if all you are going to do is use the money to heat the street!!!

I purchased from wigan salvation army. Only to be served with a rude person who was on a personal call. no please. no thankyou
When I entered the shop she was on her phone. When I left she was still on . complaining about her job through the majority of the call.

The salvation army has an advert on TV stating that they tend to the homeless - thus is a lie. I was homeless in Watford - salvation army playing their music on the street and there were homeless sitting in doorways begging for money - salvation army totally ignored them. The army never came to the night shelter nor the day centre. They did not even give food to the homeless on the street. You never see nor hear these people until Christmas time - why - to get money from you - they are not intrested in anyone but themselves. DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO THEM

If you are for the people shouldn't you lower your prices on FREE clothing???? Love the store but prices suck..... And for the record in richer neighborhoods the prices are higher in your stores than Michigan Ave Boutiques!!!!😢

The Salvation Army discriminates the people it serves. While visiting the food pantry in Syracuse, NY, USA signs stated to be seated and wait your turn. So while I sat and awaited my turn, additional people of color arrived whom spoke Spanish and must not have understood the signs, as they cut ahead, and never sat down. The staff said nothing and allowed a free for all. Clearly the Salvation Army feels that only Hispanics and people of color get hungry, not white people.

Two complaints were made to local level of the Salvation Army with no resolution. May the people of color fill those red kettles this year.

The Child Contact Service is absolutely priceless, the staff are delightful, cautious-working, selfless and professional volunteers that are seriously needed in the area to help children and non-resident parents reunite to transform the lives of so many incredibly great children that just want to be left alone to see their estranged parent.

The size of the play areas is large, the variety of toys and furniture is perfect for all children and of coarse, the safety of parents and children is paramount.

They have snacks and drinks available, toilets and plenty of safe-space. They’re open almost every other Saturday and the one time referral is £40, easy to process and self referrals are accepted.