Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust (EPUT) has been working with a local charity as part of its Community Clothes Cycle initiative. Launched in January 2023, the scheme provides free clothing for patients on mental health inpatient wards at the Linden and Crystal Centres at Broomfield Hospital.
It has since grown to include public clothes swap events, allowing local people to donate and exchange items, with surplus stock going directly to patients. The initiative was inspired by peer support worker Charlotte Spooner who saw first-hand the need for clothing to help patients feel more comfortable, confident and supported during their time in hospital.
The trust has also been working with Kids Inspire, a children’s mental health charity offering free trauma support to families who otherwise could not access it. Based in Essex and Suffolk, the charity provides personalised recovery plans through one-to-one and group sessions, helping children and young people to thrive.
The local team at the Linden Centre were delighted to receive a donation of clothes from Kids Inspire. The charity’s Operations Manager, Lucie Walker-Hutt, met with EPUT peer support workers Rosario Gullota, Charlotte Spooner and Amanda Crossley to hand over a selection of clothes which were collected through Kids Inspire’s regular preloved clothing drives. Lucie explained that they wanted to contribute directly to the clothes swap after hearing that many patients arrive at mental health wards with very few personal belongings.
“We know that people often arrive at the centre in only the clothes they are wearing, so we wanted to provide practical, comfortable clothing that could make a real difference,” said Lucie.
“We’re delighted to be able to support the fantastic work of the Community Clothes Cycle and hope to donate more in the future, including personal hygiene items.” Peer support worker Charlotte Spooner, who runs the Community Clothes Cycle at EPUT with Amanda Crossley, welcomed the donation: “These clothes were all brand new, unisex T-shirts and hoodies. Patients will be so grateful. Collaborations like this really help us to meet people’s basic needs, while also boosting their confidence and wellbeing.”
