A grassroots initiative offering help to homeless people and those facing winter hardship is marking its 4th anniversary with an announcement of plans to put a rail of warm clothes on every high street in the UK.
The Take One Leave One project which encourages anyone to offer free warm clothes to those in their communities has seen more than 100 rails pop up across the UK and beyond over the last 4 years. Organisers are now in talks with homelessness charities to try and get a “TOLO rail” outside charity shops across the country.
“Take One Leave One is not a charity or an organisation, it is an idea. A sticky idea that can be replicated on any street in the world. Because of its simplicity has grown rapidly with sprouting in towns and cities across the UK and beyond,” said Stefan Simanowitz, Take One Leave One founder. “It is hoped that by working with charity shops we can ensure we have a Take One Leave One rail on every high street in the country.”
Take One Leave One (“TOLO”) has the received the thumbs up from homelessness charities including Centrepoint, Shelter, Crisis and the Big Issue who have helped promote the project over a number of years.
TOLO has also received celebrity support. On Saturday musician Guy Pratt who has played with the likes of Pink Floyd dropped off some warm clothes at #TOLOBrighton saying “It’s a brilliant idea. I’d encourage everyone to get involved.”
Actor Rob Delaney visited #TOLOExmouthMarket and numerous high profile figures has supported it on social media including Gary Linekar, Emily Maitlis and Boy George, who tweeted “I love this idea. Please be kind”. The band Massive Attack who helped set up and to promote #TOLOBristol, the Take One Leave One rail in Bristol.
“This is a wonderful initiative that puts the government to shame,” said Green member of the House of Lords, Jenny Jones, who visited #TOLOVauxhall earlier this month. “Take One Leave One have announced that they have approached the heads of several major charities to see if they would be willing to put a rail of free warm clothes outside their charity shops.”
Over the last four years, scores of rails have sprung up across the UK and even spread to the US and Canada. At least 30 rails were running in the winter of 2019/20 and again in 2020/1.
“We have a great team of dedicated volunteers who want to make a difference to people’s lives, no matter how small. One of our volunteers met us when he was homeless. He visited us often and was so motivated he was able to seek accommodation and now volunteers with us every week,” said Hayley Ereola who helped set up and run the Take One Leave One Vauxhall rail.
“We see many new faces every week, but there are around 25 regulars who pop by for clothes and snacks but mainly for a cuppa and a chat. Many people can go a whole week without talking to anyone and that’s where our team can step in. It is an honour to be there each week and support those in need.”
