Gift goods
You gift, we give – enriching lives together
Could you imagine living in a tent without a torch? Sleeping on the street without a blanket? Moving into your first home with nothing – no cutlery, no towels, no lamp to light the room? For people experiencing or rebuilding their lives after homelessness, these scenarios can be realities.
We rely on our generous community to ensure no one is left without essentials, warm meals or protective clothes. More than donations, your gifts go directly to people in need, so you’re making an immediate contribution to turning around someone’s life. When chosen thoughtfully, a gift can go beyond practical needs, lifting spirits and helping someone feel valued.
Items we need most right now
Winter hits hardest for people without a safe place to sleep. Nights are freezing, meals are scarce, and staying warm and healthy can feel impossible.
With your gifts of clothing, blankets, protective gear and hot meals, we can meet these urgent needs and give people the comfort and care they deserve. Last year we supported over 1,000 people across West Sussex – and we’re seeing this number go up.
We’re also asking for items that will make Christmas extra special for people living in our properties or visiting our hubs. It can be a particularly difficult time of year for many, and your gifts make a huge difference.
Together we can make sure everyone has the essentials they need to get through the season.
Hoodies and fleeces
Waterproof jackets
Thermals
Head torches
Handwarmers
New gloves, socks and winter hats
Tracksuit bottoms
What would you like to gift?
Explore the categories below to see how your generosity can have an immediate, lasting impact. We also have an Amazon wishlist which allows items to be sent straight to our services.
Food, toiletries and cleaning
Outdoor essentials
Clothes
Furniture
Home essentials
Turning Tides Donations Hub
Our Donations Hub is the heart of where we receive, sort and distribute your gifts. With plenty of space and on-site parking, dropping off your items is quick and easy.
Where to find us
Address: Unit 2, Dominion Trade Centre, Dominion Way West, Worthing, BN14 8NT
Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9am – 2pm
Contact
Email: donations@turning-tides.org.uk
Phone: 01903 680742
What we can collect
- Our van team can collect certain large furniture donations. Please read our quality standards first and it’s very helpful if you can send us an image of the item you’d like collected.
- Unfortunately, we don’t have the capacity for full house clearances, but we may be able to recommend someone who can help.
- Get in touch if you’d like to discuss a collection.
Sustainability
We believe in the importance of reducing waste. When gifts aren’t quite the right fit for us, we make sure they’re carefully repurposed and redirected to those who can use them. For example, any excess food is shared with local food banks to support those beyond our organisation. By collaborating with our trusted network of local charities, community groups and removal companies, we aim to never let something valuable go to waste and maximise the impact of every donation. Our Donations Hub is more than a drop-off point; it’s part of a growing community base moving towards sustainable living and social responsibility.
Quality Standards
While we do our best to repurpose items that aren’t suitable for our services, we can’t pass on items that don’t meet our quality standards. We encourage all donors to review the below standards before donating.
Clean and fresh – free from stains or odours ✅
Undamaged – not broken, rusty or otherwise unusable ✅
In working order – safe and fully functional ✅
Complete – with all parts and accessories included ✅
Gifting food, toiletries and cleaning products
Please make sure all items are in-date and unopened. ✅
We can’t accept any food or drink that contains alcohol
Gifting outdoor essentials
Sleeping bags
Water resistant
Ideally in carry bag
Rucksacks
Medium and large
Camping roll mats
Not inflatable
Small tents
One/two person
Ideally in carry bag
Water bottles and flasks
Resuable
Bicycles
In good condition
Gifting clothes
Please make sure gifted clothes are clean, fresh and without stains. Ideally we need clothes that are ideal for outdoor wear and easy to wash and dry. ✅
Basic essentials
Unisex hoodies, sweat shirts, joggers, tee-shirts, thermal tops and bottoms
Underwear
New men’s boxers (ideally small-medium)
Ladies’ pants
Waterproof coats
Or water resistant jackets
Men’s and ladies’
Socks
New, both thermal and not thermal
Men’s and ladies’
Hats, scarfs, gloves
Men’s and ladies’
Trainers
Men’s and ladies’
Gifting furniture
Please make sure furniture isn’t damaged, broken or rusting and is complete with all accessories. ✅
Upholstered furniture must be clean, without stains and have a sewn-in fire label stating: “Complies with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988” (we’ll check this with you before collection) ✅
Mattresses and divan bases – must have a blue-framed sewn-in label showing compliance with BS7177 (we’ll check this with you before collection) ✅
Gifting household essentials
Please make sure household essentials aren’t damaged, broken or rusting and are complete with all accessories. ✅
Kitchen appliances
Undercounter fridges with freezer compartments, microwaves, counter cookers, air fryers, toasters, kettles
Cookware and tableware
Saucepans, frying pans, cooking pots, plates, bowls, mugs, tumblers/glasses
Bedding and linen
Single duvets and covers, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors, mattress toppers, towels
Lighting
Table lamps, floor lamps
Entertainment and tech
TVs and radios. See our Gift Digital Essentials page for more.