Campaign launched to fundraise for clothes bank

A new campaign has been launched by Anawim – Birmingham’s Centre for Women to fundraising for a clothes bank.

The clothes bank will offer a warm space to store and distribute donations and will sit next to Anawim’s drop-in centre - open and available for any woman support.

The new initiative will also mean women are welcomed into a warm, comfortable space where they feel safe, and can have time to look through the clothes and toiletries.

The campaign comes during a time where Birmingham is ranked the seventh most deprived Local Authority of 317 in England and the most deprived in the West Midlands Metropolitan area.

43 per cent of Birmingham’s population - and 51 per cent of children - live in areas in the top 10 per cent most deprived in England.  

Over the last five years, the escalating cost of living crisis has impacted housing affordability, mental health and many other aspects of our women’s lives. 

A statement from Anawim said: “Our centre has become very busy - seeing nearly 2,000 women a year, so space is at a premium, and the clothes bank will help.

“In addition we are given a lot of clothes by the community to use, or sell on, for which we are hugely grateful, but we are about to lose both our storage space and our shop in Moseley - and we need somewhere for them to go. 

“Aside from the practicalities, the clothes bank will support our social enterprise schemes, and our women in their pathways into work.

“Currently, champions (Anawim women) and volunteers contribute to daily tasks in our shop, and bring new ideas and perspectives.

“This will continue and will help us to concentrate on targeted fundraising like online sales and pop-up events.  

“At Anawim, we support women with a range of complex and interconnecting needs. Many come directly through our open access drop-in.

“Anawim offers gender-informed and trauma-responsive wraparound support to enable those women to reach their potential. All of our services are free, from intensive supervision to a simple bag of food.”

Pictured: Anawim volunteer Aneesa Akbar at their drop in centre