HOME TO COCREATE HACKNEY & THE COMMUNITY CLOSET.
Community powered. Dignity driven.
"The Community Closet has grown from a small pandemic response into a vital community resource supporting residents across Hackney."
Every week, clothing, essentials, and donations move through the Closet and back into the community - supporting families to stay warm, confident, and held during difficult times.
Since September 2025, we’ve received over 706 bags of donations - that’s around 6–7 tonnes of clothing,, the equivalent weight of a double-decker bus, and over 10,000 items kept in use and out of landfill.
Because what we do isn’t just about support -
it’s about sustainability too.
Every coat rehomed, every bundle prepared, every item passed on is part of a circular, community -powered model that reduces waste, challenges overconsumption, and makes better use
of what already exists.
Behind every rail, every bag, every child’s bundle is a simple idea: everyone deserves dignity - and
nothing useful should go to waste.
What the Closet Makes Possible
The Closet supports residents through:
- Everyday clothing access for adults and children
- Children’s clothing bundles including toys and books
- Crisis support for families in urgent situations
- Seasonal initiatives
- Partnership referrals from local organisations
- Volunteer-led community support
What begins as practical help often becomes something more - connection, confidence and community.
Powered by the Closet Community
The Community Closet is run by volunteers: Together they help:
- sort and prepare clothing donations
- organise bundles for families
- run the shop space
- support visitors
- welcome new volunteers
Many of our volunteers first came through the doors needing support themselves. Today they help others. That journey is part of the Closet story.
“It has been a lifeline for me, there has been many times I have wanted to give up with everyone and everything.”
“I honestly don’t know what I’d have done without The Community Closet. The volunteers are actual angels, kind, patient, and never made me feel ashamed for asking for help. You can tell everything here is done with love.”
Why This Work Matters
Clothing insecurity is often hidden. Families navigating financial hardship frequently have to choose between essentials like food, heating and clothing.
By redistributing donated clothing back into the community, the Closet helps to:
- reduce financial pressure on families
- support children and young people
- improve dignity and confidence
- reduce textile waste
- strengthen community connection
Every item donated becomes part of that impact.
The Closet works because people care. Together we make sure the rails stay full and the doors stay open.