A SHOP which gives clothing to the homeless is appealing for donations to help people living on the streets this winter.

The Changing World, in Beckenham, regularly donates clothing, shoes and bags to Outreach to the Homeless.

The shop’s owner Jackie Turner said: “It’s so important to help people on the streets, many of whom have mental health problems or drug issues.

"Often, with the big organisations, homeless people have to fill in forms and the whole process takes time. By giving clothes straight to Outreach, we get things to the people who need them much quicker.”

Outreach to the Homeless is a church charity set up in Penge 25 years ago. It provides support to around 75 men and 10 women.

On the second Saturday of every month, a team of volunteers take food, clothing, toiletries and shoes to homeless people at Lincoln’s Inn Fields and St John’s Church, Waterloo.

The next drop-off will be on December 13 and will be Christmas-themed.

Homeless people will be given a hot Christmas meal, Christmas crackers and holdalls containing good-quality clothing, shoes and toiletries which have been put aside as special donations.

Outreach to the Homeless co-ordinator Katherine Bance, said: “What we really need for the winter are zip-up coats, jeans, shoes, men’s underwear and holdalls.

"We can’t solve people’s long-term problems but we make sure they get fed, clothed and don’t die on the streets. We provide immediate relief.”

Katherine added that, without the support of shops such as The Changing World, the charity could not function.

While The Changing World keeps some donations to sell on as stock, a lot of the best quality items are given to charity, with the aim of raising homeless people’s morale.

Jackie Turner said: “A man came in to donate clothes to the shop. We thanked him and said that since the items were good quality, we would give them to the homeless. He said 'Oh no, they’re too good for the homeless' and left without donating anything.

"We think it’s really important that people on the streets are given good, functional things.”

The Changing World is a vintage clothing shop which stocks a wealth of fashion and collectables.

Jackie describes it as a ‘community-based’ shop, where students are given a discount and people can trade unwanted clothes for new stock.

Fashion student Daniel Rouse, aged 25, praised the shop’s ethos and atmosphere.

He said: “I often go past this shop on the bus and I’ve always wanted to come in and check it out.

"It’s a great boutique with a lot of unusual things and it’s fantastic that they donate clothing to charity.”

People wishing to donate items to the homeless, especially clothes, shoes and holdalls, should bring them to the shop at 60 Beckenham Road, Beckenham.

Alternatively, donations can be left at the Penge Congregational Church in Kenilworth Road, in bags marked ‘homeless’.

For more information, contact The Changing World on 020 8663 4822 or Katherine at Outreach on 0208 0239 381.

By Sarah Jappy