Donate or Volunteer
Help people rebuild their lives with dignity, comfort and connection
Many of the people we support come to Supported Independence at a very difficult point in their lives. Some arrive with very few belongings. Some have no close family or support network. Others are moving on from hospital, temporary accommodation, crisis situations or long periods of instability.
A safe place to live is only the beginning. The small things many of us take for granted — a bed, bedding, plates, a kettle, a warm coat, help setting up a room, or simply having someone to talk to — can make a huge difference to someone’s confidence, wellbeing and sense of belonging.
We welcome donations of good-quality household items and offers of time, skills and support from people who want to make a practical difference.
We also are very grateful to receive donations from organisations who want to provide our Service User's with opportunities and experiences. We have linked up with All Aboard Watersports who provide extremely discounted rates, Bristol Zoo Project who donated 20 tickets and gave free carer access to our staff, and West Country Water Park who provided an additional activity, a discount, and wetsuits for all Service Users and Staff allowing us to help Service User's have experiences on a budget.
Donate Household Items: We are always grateful for good-quality items that can help someone turn a room or house into a home. Items we may be able to accept include: - Furniture - Beds, mattresses in excellent condition, bedside tables, wardrobes, chests of drawers, sofas, armchairs, dining tables and chairs. - Kitchen items - Plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery, pans, utensils, kettles, toasters, microwaves and other small appliances in safe working order. - Household essentials - Bedding, towels, curtains, lamps, storage boxes, cleaning items and basic homeware. - Clothing and practical items - Good-quality coats, shoes, bags and everyday clothing may also be useful, depending on current need. All donated items must be clean, safe, in good working condition and suitable for use in someone’s home. Electrical items must be safe and complete, and upholstered furniture must have the appropriate fire safety labels.
Donate Your Time: Your time can be just as valuable as a physical donation. Many people we support benefit from positive social connection, encouragement, practical help and opportunities to try new things. Ways to get involved may include: - Volunteering - Spending time with service users, supporting activities, helping with gardening, cooking, walking groups, social events or community projects. - Work experience opportunities - Offering short work experience placements or tasters for people who want to build confidence, develop skills or explore employment or sandwich year placements to those who are looking to gain on the ground experience while studying. - Sharing skills - Supporting someone to learn practical skills such as cooking, budgeting, basic DIY, gardening, IT, art, music, fitness or creative activities. - Community support - Helping with donations, collections, fundraising, events or setting up homes for people moving into accommodation. All volunteering and work experience opportunities are carefully considered to make sure they are safe, appropriate and meaningful for everyone involved.
Why Your Support Matters
A donation or a few hours of your time can help someone:
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feel safer and more settled
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build confidence and independence
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develop practical life skills
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reduce loneliness and isolation
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feel valued by their community
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take positive steps towards recovery and wellbeing
For someone starting again, a donated bed, a set of kitchen items or a supportive conversation can be the first step towards feeling at home.
How to Donate or Get Involved
Please contact us before bringing any items so we can confirm what is currently needed and whether we are able to accept them.
Email: [insert email address]
Phone: [insert phone number]
Location/collection details: 27-29 Ashley Road, BS6 5NJ
When contacting us, please let us know:
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what item or items you would like to donate
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their condition
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whether you can deliver them
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whether any furniture has fire safety labels
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whether electrical items are in good working order
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how you would like to volunteer or offer your time
