TESTIMONIALS
The Clothing Collective provides vouchers which prison leavers in need can use to buy essential items. Sometimes prison leavers have little or no family support and the vouchers make a huge difference to them as part of the practical assistance which is provided by the prison. We are very grateful for the support of the Clothing Collective and so are the men in need who leave Wandsworth.
Head of Reducing Reoffending
HMP Wandsworth
The vouchers given to our clients have helped them to access necessary warm clothing.
One client used a voucher to buy a coat, in his words: "I choose a nice coat which is really warm and waterproof (The voucher) was very good. I got a good coat. Thank you very much".
Another client used the voucher to purchase two jumpers.
CEO - Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants
"Partnering with Clothing Collective has been a great asset to us, allowing us to provide an additional benefit to our service users allowing them the freedom and confidence to shop and choose their own clothes. This has had a knock on effect of uplifted so many of the people we support, thank you."
MP
Personal Wellbeing Services - Catch22
As a social worker working in one of the most deprived London boroughs, and with some of the poorest members of society, Clothing Collective represents a lifeline. For those for whom a winter coat or a pair of gloves represents a luxury and not something that’s taken for granted, Clothing Collective can help bridge that gap and keep these families warm. And in doing so, its vouchers also help the charity shops that go on to do invaluable work in the community. Thank you so much for all your hard work, it is so appreciated.
S F
Trainee Social Worker
Safeguarding Family Service Southwark Children’s & Adult’s Services London
Partnering with Clothing Collective is a huge help for the people referred to us in severe financial hardship. Having access to the clothes vouchers which can be redeemed at partner charity shops is a great help, protecting people's dignity in difficulty times - we really appreciate having these vouchers.
D F
Wandsworth Foodbank Manager
We all really appreciate your support in this matter here at Wandsworth.
HMP - Wandsworth
Life Bread, the outreach programme to the homeless and destitute has received Clothing Collective vouchers which has been a tremendous benefit and help to our guests. They have been able to exchange these vouchers at a local charity shop for clothes and bedding. These vouchers are excellent as they can only be traded for goods in the charity shop and are far better than giving money which may not be used for the intended purpose.
Pastor Charles Francis
Team Leader - Love Mercy (Social Action Emmanuel Church)
It is an absolute pleasure to be working with Clothing Collective across our charity shops.
It’s a brilliant and much needed scheme enabling those in need of clothing to be able to clothe themselves in a safe and secure way by exchanging their vouchers in store.
The process is nice and easy for us as a retail partner to administer for both our Head Office and for our shop staff.
AW
Community Engagement Manager
Wandsworth Oasis
...... kindly gave us a number of clothing collective vouchers. These have been invaluable in giving to clients and enabling them to get clothing.
I R
Hub Assistant – NSNO Assessment Hotel (Waterloo)
St Mungo's Waterloo
Clothing Collective is such a valuable resource. As a Foodbank we regularly see people who do not have enough money to buy food and other things that we take for granted such as clothing. One lady came in needing smarter clothes for an interview. Another was unable to clothe her child who had grown out of his clothes. To be able to give a voucher or 2 to someone in great need to use to buy reasonably priced items in a local Charity shop is just great. It is so much appreciated by those who receive. Such a wonderful initiative.
CF
Manager of Richmond Foodbank
We have found the vouchers a great addition to our service. People only use food banks in times of real crisis, where there is no food at home and no money whatsoever to buy food. It has been really helpful to be able to pass on the vouchers where people are in need of clothing – often to mothers needing a winter coat for their children etc. Often we have kind donors wanting to pass on used clothing for our guests, but we just don’t have capacity to manage that well. So it has been great to suggest those donors give the clothing to the specific charity shops, so that our guests can go there with a voucher and chose the right items.
DF
Wandsworth Foodbank Manager