What We Need, Why It Matters

At Out & Unbound, every donated item becomes part of a radical act of care. We’re always seeking contributions of adult clothing, men’s toiletries, non-perishable food, and small electronics like phones, laptops, and tablets. These aren’t just helpful they’re life-changing tools of reentry.

A donated phone can mean the difference between missing a doctor’s appointment, a Job Centre meeting, or a job interview. A laptop can unlock education, employment, and reconnection. These items help our community members reclaim agency in a world that often shuts them out.

When we house someone, we often put out urgent calls for household essentials because dignity starts with a warm bed, a working kettle, and the basics of home. That’s why we ask for double and king-sized bedding, towels, blankets, and small kitchen appliances. We also distribute food parcels to newly released community members, offering nourishment for the first steps forward.

You’ll find a full list of what we’re currently collecting in the sections below. Every item you give becomes part of a care package rooted in radical welcome helping someone rebuild, reconnect, and reclaim their future with pride, power, and possibility.

Clothing with Dignity

Clothing is more than fabric it’s identity, confidence, and the power to show up. Whether it’s for a job interview, a court date, or simply walking through the world with pride, the right clothes can change everything.

We welcome donations of men’s clothing, including new underwear and socks. Shoes and trainers are always in high demand, helping our community members move forward literally and figuratively with comfort and strength.

For those reentering society, clothing can be a form of self-expression and a signal of belonging. Every item helps someone feel seen, equipped, and ready to reclaim their place in the world with dignity and style.

Self-Care Is a Human Right

Access to toiletries isn’t just about hygiene it’s about dignity, confidence, and feeling human. For many of our service users, a fresh shower, a clean shave, or the right skincare can be the first step toward healing, reconnecting, and showing up for life’s next chapter.

We welcome donations of men’s toiletries that support self-care and affirm identity. Every item helps someone feel seen, respected, and ready to move forward.

Most-Needed Men’s Toiletries

Shampoo and conditioner for all hair types

Hand sanitiser

Shower gel

Deodorant

Skincare and facewash

Razors and shaving products

Toothpaste and toothbrushes

Hair styling products

Nail clippers

Grooming products

Aftershave

Nourishment Is More Than a Meal

Food is survival but it’s also comfort, culture, and care. A warm bowl of soup, a cupboard with staples, the dignity of choosing what to eat these are small freedoms that make a big difference.

We collect non-perishable food items to stock care packages, and help people settle into new housing with warmth and choice. These donations fuel reentry, reduce isolation, and remind our community members that they are not alone.

Every tin, every packet, every thoughtful gift helps someone feel nourished, respected, and held by community.

Most-Needed Food Items

Tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits

Cereals

Tinned soups and stews

Pasta, rice, and pasta sauces

Tinned vegetables especially potatoes, carrots, and peas

Tinned fruit

Condiments and spices mayonnaise, ketchup, and salad cream are always needed

Cooking oils and cooking sprays

Stock cubes

Long-life milk and long-life juice

Household Essentials for a Fresh Start

A clean home is a foundation for healing, safety, and self-respect. For those reentering society or settling into new housing, having the right household items means more than tidiness it means agency, comfort, and the ability to care for one’s space with pride.

We welcome donations of household essentials, including:

Washing liquid or powder

Fabric softener

Sponges and cloths roll

Tissues

Cleaning wipes

Washing-up liquid

Toilet cleaner

Polish and sprays

These items help transform temporary shelter into home. Every donation supports reentry, affirms dignity, and offers the quiet power of care in action.

Powering Connection & Possibility

Electrical items do more than plug in they power connection, opportunity, and everyday life. For someone rebuilding after prison, access to technology and appliances can mean staying in touch, applying for jobs, cooking a meal, or simply feeling at home.

We welcome donations of internet-ready devices and small household appliances, including:

Phones, laptops, and tablets

Flat-screen televisions (any size)

Microwaves, kettles, and toasters

Small kitchen appliances

DVD players and other compact household electronics

These items are distributed through housing support and care packages, helping our community members reconnect, rebuild, and reclaim their independence one powered-up moment at a time.

Comfort That Speaks of Home

Reentry isn’t just about shelter it’s about creating spaces that feel safe, soft, and truly lived in. The right bedding and household essentials can transform a temporary room into a place of rest, healing, and belonging.

We gratefully accept donations of:

Towels and flannels

Duvet covers, sheets (double/king size) and pillowcases

New duvets and pillows (double/king size)

Blankets, throws, and tablecloths

We ask for double and king-sized items because donated beds and mattresses vary in size and we want every person to receive what fits, what comforts, and what restores.

These essentials are offered through housing support and care packages, helping our community members settle in with softness, dignity, and the feeling that someone cared enough to make it beautiful.

Nourishment for the First Steps Forward

Our food parcels are more than meals they’re a gesture of welcome, care, and solidarity for people taking their first steps after release. Each parcel is designed to offer comfort, ease, and enough to get through those crucial first days.

A typical parcel includes:

Breakfast cereals and biscuits

Soup, pasta, rice, and pasta sauce

Tinned beans, meat, vegetables, and fruit

Tea or coffee, sugar, and snacks

These parcels are offered to newly released community members, helping bridge the gap between survival and stability. It’s not just about food it’s about saying, “You’re not alone. You’re part of something now.”

Why This Matters to Out & Unbound

At Out & Unbound, we believe reentry should begin with dignity not desperation. For LGBT+ people leaving prison, the first days are often filled with uncertainty, isolation, and systemic barriers. A warm blanket, a working phone, a stocked cupboard these aren’t luxuries. They’re lifelines.

Every donated item becomes part of a care package rooted in radical welcome. It’s our way of saying: You belong. You are seen. You are supported. Whether it’s a kettle for a morning brew or a duvet that wraps someone in warmth, these essentials help transform survival into stability and stability into possibility.

This work is personal. Some of understand what this is like, many more do not. That’s why our support is unapologetically affirming, peer-led, and movement-driven. We don’t just hand out items we build kinship, reclaim justice, and create spaces where healing begins with the basics.