The idea
The Community Closet provides free, seasonally appropriate clothing to people most in need through “free to take” clothing rails set up in partnership with housing services. Service users choose what they need based on their own wants and preferences, promoting dignity and autonomy. We are expanding this initiative across Dublin City Centre, growing from 6 to 10 partner organisations over 6 months. Each month, we will support 100–150 individuals, redistribute 500 donated items, and divert 500kg of textiles from landfill.
The project includes a setup phase for equipment and volunteer training, followed by active operations led by Change Clothes and 10 trained volunteers. The initiative addresses both clothing poverty and textile waste, creating a low-cost, high-impact, community-led solution that fosters wellbeing, dignity, and environmental responsibility.
What we'll deliver
- Free clothing to 100–150 people each month across 10 housing services in Dublin City Centre
- 500 donated clothing items collected, sorted, and redistributed monthly
- 500kg of textiles diverted from landfill every month
- 10 housing service partnerships developed and supported
- 10 volunteers trained and supported to help with sorting, repairs, and rail upkeep
Why it's a great idea
The Community Closet will bring social, environmental, and community benefits. It will provide free, seasonally appropriate clothing to 100–150 people per month, supporting individuals experiencing homelessness or financial hardship with dignity and choice. By redistributing 500 quality clothing items monthly, we’ll prevent approximately 500kg of textiles from entering landfill, promoting circular economy practices. The initiative fosters wellbeing, confidence, and self-expression through access to clean, suitable clothing. It also strengthens community connections by involving 10 trained volunteers and partnering with 10 housing services. The visibility of this project encourages a culture of care, sharing, and reuse. It’s a practical, low-cost, and scalable solution to both clothing poverty and textile waste—empowering communities to support one another while reducing environmental impact.
Steps to get it done
- Finalise partnerships with housing services in Dublin City Centre
- Prepare clothing rails, storage containers, and transport materials
- Recruit and train 10 volunteers in sorting, repair, and rail management
- Develop a donation plan and schedule for clothing collection and redistribution
- Promote the initiative to donors and communities (social media, posters, networks)
- Install and stock the first round of clothing rails
- Begin weekly sorting, basic repairs, and redistribution operations
- Monitor donation quality and volume; adjust collection methods as needed
- Support volunteers in their roles; gather initial feedback from services and users
- Install remaining clothing rails and expand to all partner locations
- Run weekly restocking and sorting at all sites
- Host a volunteer check-in session to review roles and improve workflow
- Share project updates and photos with supporters and stakeholders
- Conduct a progress review: donation volume, user feedback, and textile diversion
- Repair or refresh rails or materials as needed
- Publish a short mid-project report for funders and partners
- Celebrate volunteer contributions (e.g. small thank-you event or certificates)
- Maintain weekly restocking, repairs, and volunteer support
- Promote seasonal donation needs (e.g. coats, socks)
- Track final month stats in preparation for wrap-up and reporting
- Final restocking and rail checks across all locations
- Collect impact data (number of users supported, items redistributed, kg diverted)
- Debrief with volunteers and housing partners for lessons learned
- Share final project report with funder
- Explore options for sustaining or scaling the project
