The Walking Wardrobe: Give your unwanted Christmas gifts a new purpose
As we settle into the new year, we're inviting support for our Walking Wardrobe initiative - a simple but powerful way to help restore dignity, comfort and confidence to the people we care for.
This fantastic idea came to us from our adult mental health teams. The potential of this initiative to make such a difference to our patients meant that we wanted to roll it out across the whole Trust.
Every day, our teams meet patients who arrive with very little. Some have no clean clothes. Some have been sleeping rough. Others come to us in crisis with only what they're wearing. The Walking Wardrobe exists so that no one in our care has to feel embarrassed, cold or overlooked.
And this is where you come in.
If you received clothes or toiletries over Christmas that aren't quite right for you - or if you're having a clear out - we would be incredibly grateful for any clean, good quality items you can donate.
Your donation might feel small, but to someone else, it can be life changing.
Why the Walking Wardrobe matters: a story from our staff
One of our colleagues shared a story that captures exactly why this scheme exists.
Several years ago, she met a young man who had become homeless after losing his job, his home and eventually his family. She would see him outside a local supermarket and always stopped for a chat, bringing toiletries or a hot drink. One winter, he was living in a shed on an allotment.
Months later, he told her he had managed to secure a job interview. Together, they picked out a pair of trousers, a shirt and some shoes from donated items. She washed and ironed them and dropped them off the day before his interview.
She didn't see him again for six months - until one afternoon, when someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was him. He proudly told her:
The lucky clothes landed me the job. I'm working as an engineer now. I've got a flat. Life is great.
This is a reminder that a simple act of kindness can change the course of someone's life.
We see this every day in our services. Staff regularly request clothing for patients on the wards and in the community, especially when attending assessments or appointments. Your donations help us give people dignity at some of the hardest moments of their lives.
What we need most:
For men
- Trousers / jeans
- T shirts / jumpers
- Trainers / shoes
- New boxers / socks
- New Toiletries
For women
- Trousers / leggings / jeans
- T shirts / tops / jumpers
- Shoes / trainers
- New Toiletries
All items must be clean and in good condition, please.
Anything we cannot use will be passed on to the Salvation Army, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
How to donate
Drop off points are available across our sites:
- Brooklands - Brian Oliver Reception
- Caludon Centre - Main Reception
- Manor Court - Avenue House
- St. Michael's - Main Reception
- The Railings - Hunter House
- Wayside House - Main Reception
Thank you.
Your generosity helps us offer more than clothes - it helps us offer dignity, warmth and hope. The Walking Wardrobe is a testament to the compassion that runs through CWPT, and we're grateful for every contribution.
If you can donate, please do. Together, we can make a real difference.