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Written by Anthea Peters
Anthea has run the Togs Clothing Bank for the last 12 years. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, Nordic walking, meeting friends and hosting theatre and student lodgers.
Togs Clothing Bank was launched in January 2012 after consultation with health visitors and social workers who expressed concerns for some of the disadvantaged families living in Derby. The main issues were lack of coats, shoes and school uniforms.
I started the clothing bank with one box working from my house in Darley Abbey, progressing to premises at 119 Osmaston Road in August 2014, where three rooms were hired to store boxes, baby equipment and rails of clothing. In the early days, 250 children were helped each year with clothes, bedding, baby equipment, shoes, toys and books. For the past few years, the number of children helped has increased to exceed 1,200 per year.
In November 2022, Togs moved to temporary premises in Friargate owned by St Werburghs, however, there was an urgent need to find more permanent premises with low rent. Fortunately, in January 2024, Togs was able to move to Derby New Church Hall on Horwood Avenue in Derby. This gave us the opportunity to expand and serve even more families in the Derbyshire area.
In addition to health visitors, social workers and family workers working with disadvantaged families, referrals are received from the Red Cross, women’s refuges, baby support units, midwives, Derby City Mission, Aquarius, Rebuild, nurseries and schools. Support is given to new refugee families arriving in Derby via a project called Upbeat Communities. In addition, self-referrals are made by families in receipt of benefits and records are kept to ensure fair distribution is made to these families.
How to Help
Donations of clothing, shoes, bedding, toys and books for 0-14-year-olds, as well as baby equipment, can be made to Togs at Derby New Church Hall, or to my garage in Darley Abbey. Facebook is used to advertise the items that are needed on a monthly basis. Due to storage limitations, we usually request items suitable for the current season.
The monthly rent is funded by an organisation called Foundation Derbyshire who support small charities in the Derbyshire area. Other funding is always appreciated so that new items can be purchased when there is a need, for example cots, bedding and clothing items in short supply. As Togs is not a registered charity, we cannot apply for some funding streams, so rely totally upon the generosity of the public.
It is a privilege and honour to run this charity and I could not continue without the support of my dedicated group of wonderful volunteers
How to Donate
Derby New Church Hall, DE23 6NX
Tue 12 – 3pm & Fri 10.30am – 1pm
Darley Abbey - Anthea's garage is always open; just get in touch for the address
07989 117929
St Francis Church, Mackworth and St Edmunds Church, Allenton on Sundays
Common Wish List Items
Winter coats and snowsuits
Children’s clothes
Prams
Cots
Moses baskets
Sterilisers
Check out the monthly wish list on the Togs Facebook page or on Boom’s social media pages.
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