On October 18th, the Catch22 Refugee Employability Programme (REP) held its first community closet event – a day dedicated to providing local refugees with the essentials they need to face the colder months ahead. This event, driven by the simple yet powerful act of giving, was supported by the generosity of staff members across our organisation, who donated a remarkable collection of clothing items for our new neighbours in need.
Creating the closet
Leading up to the event, we reached out to team members across various departments, asking for donations of gently used clothing items. The response was overwhelming, with bags upon bags of high-quality coats, sweaters, scarves, and other cold-weather essentials coming in from employees who wanted to make a tangible difference. Yet, this event wasn’t just about distributing clothes—it was about fostering connection, compassion, and a sense of community.
The goal was clear: to create an opportunity for local refugees to access quality clothing that would help them feel a bit more comfortable and prepared as they settle into their new surroundings. For many refugees, arriving in a new country can be daunting, and having proper clothing for the British climate can make a big difference to their experience. The community closet event is part of the wider Refugee Employability Programme, which supports refugees through practical and logistical support, educational resources, and community-building events.
The day of the event
When the day of the event arrived, the atmosphere was full of warmth and energy. The team transformed our ESOL room into a welcoming pop-up shop. Every item was carefully organised, allowing attendees to ‘shop’ through the racks and pick out pieces that suited their style and needs as giving refugees the dignity to choose for themselves, to find items that resonated with their personality and style, was of huge importance.
Many participants who attended the event expressed gratitude not just for the items themselves, but for the opportunity to be a part of a community gathering where they felt valued and seen. Some attendees shared their own stories with us—stories of resilience, hope, and the challenges they had overcome to be here. These conversations were a humbling reminder of why events like the community closet are so important. By providing a space for connection, we helped ease some of the isolation that refugees often feel when they arrive in a new country.
Impact and insights
Reflecting on the event, there were several key takeaways that we feel are worth sharing. Firstly, the simplicity of a clothing drive event should not be underestimated. It was relatively simple to set up, and the impact was immediate and heartfelt. Our staff members who donated clothes also had a unique chance to make a direct impact. By contributing something as personal as clothing, they were able to provide a sense of warmth and comfort in a very real way.
The REP Partnerships Manager shared the following testimony:
“Hosting this event for our participants and local refugees was truly heartwarming. We are very lucky to have such supportive colleagues across the business that contributed to the success of the day, and we were able to make a real impact to those in need. The value of the event really highlights what we want to achieve with REP, which is make a positive impact to our participants.”
Looking forward
The success of the community closet event has left us feeling inspired and motivated to continue and expand these efforts. We’re already in conversations with other local organisations and refugee support networks to explore the possibility of holding similar events on a regular basis.
In the spirit of building on what we’ve started, we’d love to invite others to join us in future community closet events. Whether you’re an individual looking to volunteer, an organisation interested in partnering, or simply someone with a closet full of gently used clothes that could benefit someone else, there’s a place for you in this project.
Thank you to everyone who made the first community closet a success. Together, we are making a positive change—one piece of clothing, and one connection, at a time.