Two charities in Harrogate are working hand in hand to provide people and struggling families with free clothing.
The Harrogate Clothes Bank and The Village provide clothes to a vast range of people in need of their help.
The clothes bank was set up in July 2016 to cover for an unmet social support needs in Harrogate. It started by providing free clothes, bedding, toys and baby equipment to the refugees and asylum seekers arriving into the district.
In 2018 it was expanded to anyone on a low income. Then in 2020, to avoid duplicating what other charities were doing, all its baby toys were donated to Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library and baby clothing to The Village.
In 2015, Jess Price set up The Village (previously called Baby Basics) to offer clothing bundles for children up to six. It also puts together starter bundles for new mums and provides nappies, push chairs and other larger items.
The Village and the clothes bank now work together to make sure families in need are cared for.
The charities support those fleeing domestic abuse, asylum seekers or if they are on a low income. People are often referred to the charities by local organisations but can also get in touch directly if they are in need of clothing.
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Both charities say, although it may not be apparent in Harrogate, there is a great demand for services like their’s.
Mike Proctor, co-ordinator of Harrogate Clothes Bank said:
“There are many charity shops in Harrogate offering clothes at low prices, but for some people any cost is unaffordable. This might be due to long-term financial problems or a situation of sudden crisis and critical need when a large number of items are needed suddenly. For example when fleeing domestic violence. On average our service users take 15 to 20 items per visit.”
Since the start of the pandemic the number of families accessing the clothes bank has dropped but Mr Proctor expects levels rise to those similar to pre-pandemic in the coming months.
For Ms Price self referrals to The Village have increased over the pandemic. She said:
“There is definitely a need in and around Harrogate. We’ve seen an increase in self referrals since covid hit. People we give things too often go through redundancy, separation, fleeting domestic abuse, emotional trauma. We cater for many refugee families in the area.”
