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Southampton Action works to support refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups in Southampton and further afield by collecting donations of clothes, toiletries and other essentials for distribution and providing practical assistance to refugees.

Welcome to our website! Please note we are not currently collecting donations to be shipped to Ukraine. We have received a very clear message from all the large refugee charities we are working with and the Polish embassy, telling us that the work required to manage donations on the receiving end is causing significant difficulties in Poland and other countries.

We would ask that people consider instead donating cash to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal.

Build a Coat Campaign

We are struggling to keep up with the demand for winter clothes. Many of gthe people we are supporting arrived over the summer, and with the days getting colder, the need for warm coats and shoes is ramping up.

Most people don’t have a handy supply of spare coats and shoes in their wardrobe ready to donate. So can you donate to help us buy shoes, a coat or part of a coat?

• Buy a sleeve: £5
• Buy the coat body: £10
• Buy a pair of shoes: £15
• Buy a whole coat: £20

Donate here:

Our current needs list

We rely on your donations to support asylum seekers and refugees who have arrived from Afghanistan and other parts of the world without many basic necessities. We rely on your donations to do this, but as we have limited space, we are asking only for very specific items. The list of items we require will change depending on the needs of new arrivals and on how many donations we receive.

All items must be in good condition and new where specified. If you are able to donate any items on the list below, please contact us by email.

• Mens clothes – all clothes, all sizes, no suits
• Winter coats for women and children
• Winter shoes (all types) for women and children
• Underwear and socks for men, women and children – must be new and in packet for hygiene reasons
• Toiletries – all kinds and types for all genders and ages, no tampons
• Suitcases – medium and large with wheels
• Backpacks, rucksacks and holdalls
• Sheets, pillow caes and duvet covers
• Duvets and pillows – new and in packet only can be accepted for hygenie reasons
• Saucepans, pots, pans, and preserving pans – particularly large saucepans
• Plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, no kitchen knives
• Umbrellas, hats, gloves and scarves for winter

Items must be of good quality, with no tears or stains, and must not have images of guns or explosions.

We will respond to your form to let you know when and where you can drop your donations off.

Please note we are a small charity with limited capacity, and we are receiving a very high number of enquiries at the moment. If you do not hear back from us immediately, please be patient – we are grateful for your support and will respond as quickly as we can!

Sorting events

If you would like to volunteer at a sorting event, please complete this form. Details will be sent to you shortly before any dates you have expressed an interest in attending, so please remember to check your email.

Please complete one form per person, as we need to know numbers to ensure Covid safety. A face mask must be worn when on the premises.

The sorting event will take place in Townhill Park and is accessible by car or bus.

Donate cash or fundraise for us

If you do not have any items to donate or time to volunteer, cash donations are equally important. We cannot meet everyone’s needs through donations of goods alone, which is why we are urgently fundraising for cash donations. £5 will buy a bag of toiletries, and £10 will buy a new pair of trainers. Donate here.