Womens refuge donations.

[welshmist]

A friend donates to one of these she takes clothes, baby food etc.. I would like to but have no idea what other sort of things would be useful. Advice needed.

Sanitary towels, shower gel, baby wipes, kids soap etc. When I was in a refuge things like that were very gratefully received!

You could call your local refuge and ask what they’re short of?

I donated toys, until they told me they had enough and then moved on to some of the items listed above.

Thank you I was thinking of toiletries. Friend told me the families often turn up with absolutely nothing, that upset me so much.

When I showed up at a refuge we had nothing but the clothes on our backs.

They sorted the kids out with some second hand clothes and toys and things like toothbrushes which was amazing.

Later that night they came with a little pack for me which had travel bottles of some lovely shampoo and conditioner, bubble bath, a face mask and a bar of chocolate (a local lady had made these up and donated them to the refuge) it was the lovliest moment of my life to date. Lying in a bath when the kids were safe in bed with a book the refuge lent to me, my face mask on and just chilling for the first time in years and years.

I donate all my children's things to the refuge now but every now and then I donate a few things as a little treat for the women too.

I shall go looking for travel bottles tomorrow, what a lovely idea. Hope your life is much better now Buzz.

Your bath sounds wonderful. I do hope you are safe and happy now.

I asked my local women's aid refugee what they needed and arranged a collection locally, through work and friends to make welcome packs. Most people have some unwanted items to donate and are happy to do so. Our local service also has a Facebook page where they will shout out for particular items (eg household items) when needed. They don't have much storage space so have never taken baby clothes, but we are lucky enough to have a baby bank, who take donations of clothes, Moses baskets, baths etc to make up packs for women/babies in need.

@welshmist: if you are in south wales I might have a contact for you

No not in South Wales. My friend has the contact which is how I found out about it.

welsh and urban thank you.

I now have a job, a small (tiny) business and my lovely council house, children who are thriving and things that we can call our own that nobody can ever take.

It might not be everyone's version of living the dream but it's certainly mine.

I am a little hungover and hormonal but your bath story brought tears to my eyes, Buzzlightyearsbumchin.

I’m definitely going to doing the same thing in my local area.

I wish you and your children nothing but happiness buzz x

Ah buzz ♥️ what a lovely outcome for your family, I'm so happy you have managed to create a happy and safe haven x

buzz I welled up just reading your words. I wish you and your children all the peace and love that freedom can bring.

Thank you for the good wishes everyone

So sorry for the merail welsh

Buzz this thread has been so useful. Every little helps I hope.

Clothes, new unworn underwear, toiletries, toothbrushes are all needed. My friend had to flee after her husband tried to strangle her. She sweet talked him and then went on the school run, got her 3 kids and fled. Whilst he was in the loo she took his wallet and passport along with hers and the kids. She then transferred all the joint account money and he had no ID to sort anything out. She turned up at abrefuge with 3 kids and nothing, no clothes or toiletries.

The refuge gave her clothes and a toiletries pack. She managed to get a police escort back to her house to pick up other stuff as ex was threatening to set fire to it all.

Have put together toiletries, two big bags of clothes. Will nip out and buy some underwear. Will then see what else they need and spread the word to friends.

There's a big charity collection for refuges coming up. It's called project shoebox aims to get as many shoeboxes of toiletries and treats to the refuges. Collection usually ends in late nov/early Dec. If you search project shoebox on Facebook you can usually find a local one. You can get further involved by becoming a collection point like me.

Recently I donated a bag of new and nearly new creams, facewashes and shower stuff. The lady I spoke to said it was all useful even though some was opened (but barely used). Also a couple of cloth tote bags.
She told me they hold a weekly support group and they try to give out things to each woman. I would imagine teabags, biscuits etc would also be welcome.

Thank you Bagel, my shopping list is growing. What about sanitary products?

Went this morning with my bags, they were so nice. Met three young mums outside enjoying the sunshine, they are someones daughters heartbreaking really.

"Treat" food so we can give more than just a bag of plain pasta for dinner - things like biscuits, coffee, cordial are great
Shampoo and conditioner, baby wipes and sanitary wear always gratefully received
And coming up to Christmas if anyone was thinking of gifts - colouring stuff is always popular, scarves and gloves, pjs and socks, photo frames etc

Coming from a fundraising background have spent hours on the phone blagging Boots/Superdrug etc. for stuff which they always came up trumps with. I wonder if as an individual I could do the same.