Helping people to get off the starting block!
Bromley Homeless Starter Pack Scheme is a project set up to collect new and second good household goods and distribute them to households moving from homelessness to new tenancies.
Items currently needed:
(New/unopened)
- Double Sized Duvets
- Toilet Paper
- Kitchen roll
- Men’s and women’s deodorant
- Shampoo
- Shower gel
- Women’s razors/ shaving products
- Hair bands
- Hair brushes/combs
- All purpose cleaning spray
- Washing up liquid
(Second hand)
- Bowls (small or large)
- Oven dishes
- Bags for life
We are not currently able to accept donations of towels, single bedding, cutlery (knives, forks and spoons), plates, or mugs- as we currently have enough for the next few months.
Next Donation Session
Saturday 7th March 2025
Saturday 4th April
Saturday 2nd May
Saturday 6th June
10-12 St Peter & St Paul’s Youth Centre
Please email starterpacks@bromleyhomeless.org to check with us before coming to donate.
About the Starter Pack service
Bromley Council works hard to find homes for homeless people in need, but when someone who has been on the streets or in a hostel gets the keys to the property, that’s all they get; a bunch of keys, a floor, walls and a roof.
Our starter packs service provides a range of items, from bedding and towels to cleaning products and plates, to single adults and families, to support them in their first weeks and months in their new home.
In recent years we have seen a huge increase in the number of people we have helped. Currently over 160 people start afresh each year with our ‘Starter Packs’.
Volunteer To Help
We rely on volunteers to help run the service, in a number of roles:
Donation Volunteers
Volunteers help on the first Saturday of each month to check and sort donations, then make up the different sub-packs that go into a starter pack.
Distribution Volunteers
These volunteers coordinate requests for packs, getting the packs ready to go out and liaising with the referrer to ensure packs are collected- currently volunteers are needed on Fridays between 10 and 1pm, but this is flexible and volunteering on other days can be arranged.
Collecting donations
Not able to volunteer regularly? Could you act as a coordinator to collect specific items for starter packs within your business, church, community group or other network?
We need a regular supply of donated items, and are looking build a network to help support with donations of certain items every 3-4 months
Register your interest to volunteer here
What we provide:
Bedding pack
Duvet, Duvet cover, Pillow, Pillowcase, Sheets (fitted or flat).
Bathroom and toiletries
Bath towel, Hand towel, Face cloth, Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Soap/shower gel, Deodorant, Shampoo, Toilet rolls, (men – razor and shaving foam).
Crockery pack
Mug/cup, Dinner plate, Tea plate, Cereal bowl, Knife, fork, dessert spoon, and tea spoon.
Pot Pack
Saucepans, Frying pan, oven proof dishes, storage containers and Kettle (new or used/pat tested).
Utility Pack
Can opener, Vegetable peeler, kitchen knives, Washing-up bowl, Washing-up liquid, Tea towels, bin liners, Multi-purpose cleaning fluid and polish, Dishcloth and dust cloth, household bleach, washing powder or liquids and light bulbs.
Financial contributions
For health and safety reasons we give new kettles, duvet and pillows; to buy these we need financial donations, which can be made by cheque (made out to Bromley Homeless), by donating online here.
If you are paying UK tax, then please consider Gift Aid which will increase the value of your contribution. This applies if you pay UK tax that at least equals the tax that may be reclaimed on your donation in this tax year.
Referrals:
If you are already an authorised referrer click here to request a starter pack
If you are NOT an authorised referrer, please contact our volunteer team at the email below:
Contact: starterpacks@bromleyhomeless.org