Bridport Clothes Bank 4 Ukraine has set up a new temporary home in Beaminster.
Since the beginning of the year, the clothes bank has been collecting regular donations of clothes and baby wear for local Ukrainian refugees.
They are currently located at a shop in Beaminster Square belonging to Bridport’s Palmers Brewery which has been temporarily loaned to them.
Rosie Allsop of Bridport Clothes Bank 4 Ukraine said: “Many of the refugees arrived exhausted, and with nothing but the garments in which they were wearing, so clothes have been a priority and our mission has been to pass on, without charge, clothing to Ukrainian guests - many of whom are being hosted by local families.”
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The shop is open three times a week and staffed by volunteers who help sort and display clothes as well as meet the Ukrainian guests.
One volunteer, Sheelagh, said: “You can see the stress in our guests when they first visit with their hosts, we encourage people to return, and we can see their gradual relaxation - many find it difficult to ask for help.
“We give them friendship and they can take as many clothes home as they wish and if those don’t work the guests can bring them back, or pass them on.
“This is rewarding work, and we are happy to have found there is something we can do to help”.
Regular visitor to the clothes bank, Olya (pictured above) has been living in the UK for 6 months with her six-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter.
Olya recalled some of the many cultural differences her people are having to overcome, one of which being that in Ukraine, clothes are not expensive and people mostly prefer to buy them new and there are second-hand clothes are for sale but mainly for purposes such as workwear.
She described Ukrainians as independent, self-contained - people who take pride in the way they present themselves.
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At this time, the project has no form of income so the group are looking for ways to raise funds, and are hosting a market stall in Bucky Doo Square on Saturday, October 8, where they plan to sell some clothes and raise awareness of their work.
The team are eager to hear from anyone who is interested in joining them and are also looking for a more permanent base for the shop as well as any donations – particularly of warm clothes for the winter months.
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