Community Wardrobe in central London responds to huge demand

A Salvation Army Community Wardrobe that provides pre-loved and new clothes and shoes to families and individuals in central London who otherwise could not afford them is experiencing a huge demand on its service. 

During ‘Clothing Poverty Awareness Week’ (5-11 June) the Community Wardrobe is now calling on the public to help people who are struggling to afford life’s essentials by donating good quality clothing. 

More than 300 people have been supported by the Community Wardrobe, among them 146 children. More than 90 children have also been given school uniforms and the Community Wardrobe is expecting to provide more uniforms for the next school year.

Regent Hall Community Wardrobe is located just off Oxford Street, close to some of the capital’s most expensive retail outlets. It operates on a referral basis and has recently increased its opening hours from one to two days a week to cope with demand. Referrals come in various ways including directly from people, Westminster City Council and local foodbanks and community centres in the area. 

Salvation Army Commanding Officer at Regent Hall, Geoff Chape said: “Despite the perception that Westminster is an affluent area our community wardrobe is supporting people who cannot afford even essential clothing for their children or themselves. 

“With the rising cost of living, we are seeing how people are struggling and there is more need for this service than we can meet. We recently helped a family who came to us with a child who was wearing three t-shirts to try to stay warm. 

“The Salvation Army has been supporting people in Westminster for many years and our Community Wardrobe is another way of responding to a need in the area. Donations of clothes and shoes for adults and children in good condition are always welcome. 

Respecting people’s dignity is a key part of The Salvation Army’s work, and this is especially so at the Community Wardrobe. People are given appointments to come in and browse through the clothes and shoes available and try things on to ensure they fit. 

The Community Wardrobe is initially funded by The Salvation Army Church at Regent Hall and is supported by Westminster City Council, John Lewis, and Peabody, with volunteer support also from CBRE and Grosvenor Estates.

Most of the clothes and shoes are donated to the Community Wardrobe by members of the public. There is a particular need for new children’s shoes as schools approach winter.

Partner & Community Liaison Coordinator at John Lewis, Melanie Barker said: 

“John Lewis & Partners, Oxford Street have been delighted to support The Salvation Army’s Community Wardrobe Project at Regent Hall, as it’s just a stone’s throw from our store it is so easy for Partners to use their volunteering hours to support. 

“We have also donated lost property clothing, clothing hangers, steam iron and ex-display mannequins. A monetary donation to further support the work of the Community Wardrobe was also gratefully received through John Lewis & Partner Community Matters Scheme.”

Teresa’s story

Teresa from London has been a single parent to her three children (11, 6 and 3) for the last six years. Last year she also began caring for her parents. Teresa had a fulltime job in administration up until 2020 and then went part-time after her third child was born. However, she then had to give up working altogether last year to care for her parents. Teresa was put in touch with the Regent Hall Community Wardrobe at the end of last summer as she needed school uniforms for her children. 

“I prioritise my children but with the cost of living and everything going up in price it’s really difficult to meet their needs on a daily basis. This also has an effect mentally. You feel like you’re constantly thinking about money, and you feel like you’re not really living, you’re more just surviving the situation that you’re in.” 

“I was referred to Westminster Chapel Foodbank last year which helped relieve a lot of pressure at the time and heard about The Salvation Army Community Wardrobe at Regent Hall through there. It’s been a fantastic help; it’s been completely amazing. Emma (Regent Hall Community Engagement Lead) was so welcoming. 

“I vividly remember how I felt before I came to the Community Wardrobe – I was so sad. My toddler was starting nursery and my older two children were going into the next year of primary school and I hadn’t got their uniform organised. I was thinking about how I was going to do this as the uniforms are so expensive. I prayed and asked God for help, I felt so down and really alone. Then out of the blue, Emma rang. The foodbank had passed on my details. Emma explained about the Community Wardrobe and sounded so nice and genuinely wanted to help. She asked what clothes I needed and when I said I needed uniforms I was told ‘come down, we have loads of stuff!’ I felt such a relief, it was more that I could have asked for.”

I was really nervous the day I visited the Community Wardrobe as I struggle to ask for help and wondered if I would be judged. However, I was made to feel special, almost like a personal shopping experience! I got the uniforms and I even got clothes for myself – it was the first time in six years that I had got something for myself. Emma made me feel seen and that I mattered. I was so thrilled when I left the Community Wardrobe, so different to when I walked through the door feeling I was failing my kids.”

“For weeks after I felt the effects of coming here. When I see the kids wearing the clothes, I’m so grateful to Emma, to The Salvation Army and to the people who donated. It’s so good to know support like this is here.”

If people would like to donate new or second-hand clothing in good condition, they can drop items off at The Salvation Army Regent Hall, 7 Princes Street, W1B 2LQ anytime Monday - Friday between 9am and 3pm. There is also a donation point by Regent Hall’s Welcome Hub and Café, accessible from 275 Oxford Street Monday- Friday from 10am - 5pm.