To donate to a womens' refuge??

[catherinea1971]

Inspired by a very brave mumsnetter who has had to flee an extremely abusive relationship this past week I would just like to ask the kind people on this board to consider sending any of their unwanted/no longer needed belongings such as kids/womens clothes, toys and any unwanted toiletry gifts you may have.
These refuges run on very little and everything donated can be of use to women and their children hoping to take back their lives following abuse.

Might need to get the baby out first Catherine - 8 1/2 months gone kind of puts the kibosh on flatpack assembly! lol

Things are a bit tight this year, but I think I will save up and put together a couple of nice hampers for local refuges next year and no more giving to chairty shops if the refuges want the stuff, they get first dibs!

just out of intrest what's the general attitude to male volunteers at womens refuges/shelters? A friend of mine volunteers at one and I've donated money or clothes in the past but was thinking that I should become more involved but at the same time I could understand if there was a general willl to keep such spaces female only.

Oh shame - that John lewis gift list thing seems to be closed now...

Mayorquimby - some refuges are for men, too, perhaps they'd prefer some male volunteers? Only one way to find out...

Mayorquimby, i pretty sure they don't have male volunteers in women's refuges. Although there is so many other places you could volunteer if you wanted. :)

cheers. yeah I'm going to ave some more free-evenings in the new year so was looking to lend my time to some causes, and as I say the womens refuge near my college does great work but I can understand if they want it to be a female only space so maybe I'll keep my contribution to a monetary/clothes basis and lend my time somewher emore appropriate.

Well like I said above - you could always try asking, first?

although for those who are looking to donate one thing I was told by this particular refuge (so no idea if this is a universal issue) is that while they often have an abundance of women/toddler clothers people quite naturally don't think to donate clothes for boys/older kids so that might be an idea for some.

yeah, I will ask. just wanted to test the water when I saw this thread as I'd be worried they may not want to turn down help out of politeness/not wanting to look ungreatfull (I do some legal work for them already so wouldn't want them to feel they were obliged to say yes etc.) when there are better ways I could help out rather than being physically present.

Makesxmascakes....maybe making up flat pack stuff is not the best idea right now then:)
Majorquimby maybe they would appreciate male volunteers to help with getting the women out of their homes in an emergency, I know some refuges do this or even helping the women with practical things once they are able to move to their own place:)

Women's refuges don't generally take male volunteers. These are women and children who have been traumatised by violent men and are seeking refuge.

Why not trust your instincts and not offer that kind of help. You're right that there are many other ways that you can help out. Funding is always a huge issue for refuges for example.

yep. as makesxmascake says the only way to find out is to ask, just thought I'd throw it out there when I saw this thread.

Majorquimby, it's great that you do some legal work for a refuge, that is a very valuable resource for the ladies to be able to tap into.

"These are women and children who have been traumatised by violent men and are seeking refuge. "

exactly why I have reservations. I have no desire to impose myself into a situation where my physical presence is of no benefit.

mayorquimby - a good thing to volunteer for is supervised visits at welcare - they often need male volunteers who have some time at the weekend.

Our local refuge was appealing for toy donations for the children there but stated quite clearly they could only accep brand new items in orginal packaging. Even nearly new or excellent condition toys won't be considered. I was a bit "hmm"

Majorquimby, maybe speak to the manager at the refuge where you give legal advice, ask if there is anything else you can do to help?

excuse my ignorance, but what's welcare? is it a particular refuge? I''m Irish so it may not be applicable to me.

yep, I'll ask broadly (i.e. "is there anything else you need volunteers for" rather than "I'd like to start helping out in the shelter on X night") and see what the response is.
Anyway apologies for the brief thread hi-jack.

Starbuckizzy that does seem odd.

My local refuge gladly takes all my dc's outgrown clothes. I may not have much, but I have more than those in the refuge do, and if it is no longer any use to me, then I am glad to see someone who needs it getting use from it.

Refuges aren't places for people to get rid of their cast off goods though. That's what charity shops are for.

The volunteers don't have time to be sorting through people's old junk. I've worked in a charity shop and it's a lot of work. Refuges also don't have storage space for it. New stuff is easily passed on to women and children who need it.

I'm giving tokens to my local refuge this year.

x-post with Hunty. Obviously if a refuge wants it, that's good, but there's no way refuges should be being criticised for not taking unwanted goods. If people want to help give them what they need, not what people think they ought to take.

I never give junk. Just stuff the local charity shops wouldn't take.
So that's clothes in good but worn condition or toys that have all the pieces and are not broken. Anything not in decent condition doesn't get sent, I'm aware of the material recycling bins for rags and the tip for broken stuff.

Honestly the charity shops round here have to be seen to be believed.

I know you can't send electricals for eg as they need pat testing.