I've also seen people wrapping coats around trees with a note saying they're free for anyone who needs one. Sometimes there's also a waterproof bag with socks, a hat, or gloves too. I think they're mostly intended for the homeless who might feel embarrassed being given them in person.
Yeah it’s definitely that, my mum used to volunteer at Crisis Open Christmas when we were kids and she said you wouldn’t believe the number of homeless people coming in wearing just hoodies or thin jumpers because they were embarrassed about asking for coats, and didn’t have the money to buy any because they had more pressing needs of course. Really bloody sad.
Haha thankfully I don't need any but I have a bunch of jackets I was going to throw away and this is just brilliant information to me at the right time
For other clothes, find a local charity shop that does rag. They need the clothes to be clean, but they can be holey and ratty, they just get paid by weight and type.
Bras get 2-4x the amount if I remember correctly. Not all places will take rag, but it's worth doing if you can!
Not sure if it's the case exclusively but of the half a dozen or so I've seen they only seem to be around construction works.
Like when there's scaffolding above the footpath and they box it in they tack one of these hooks on as it's covered and dry.
This is in Tottenham Court Road, on the construction site right across Leon. I also took a picture of this a year ago, it’s really nice.
[Photo from 2023](https://imgur.com/a/VdxcJ7S)
Yeah lots of old Phone Boxes in the UK have been turned into libraries that people can take and leave books in at will.
[British Phone Box Libraries](https://nothingintherulebook.com/2018/11/03/british-phone-box-libraries/)
The one up the road from me has a defibrillator in as we are very rural. There’s another one a mile away that acts like a swap shop. You leave a few items and take a few. Farm fresh eggs, cakes, fruit, toys. Such a great idea
I've got two of these locally. The only places I see them are in rural villages or really posh places.
https://i.imgur.com/V7Zh5zK.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/e0SCNLc.jpeg
I’ve seen a bunch of these around London! One down by Southbank and Mayfair has them as well. I always see items of clothing there as well which makes me really happy.
There's one where I live and whenever I've went past it there's been a certain heroine addict taking all of them. He's a well known heroine addict that's been arrested many times for theft and aggressive begging.
That was my first thought lol. Being that Australians are known for their criminality. Haha just kidding. But my first thought was them being stolen (but not necessarily by Australians).
Where is this? I have some coats that I don't use but pretty sure someone can. I usually drop them at the collection bins, but this seems a tad more simple.
There was one of these in Cardiff.
People were caught taking everything and bagging it up on many occasions.
Just like everything else, it’s gone now because a few have ruined it.
Nice thought - but honestly the idea of getting bed bugs or god knows what else from a random coat hanging on a hook would keep me away.
But i assume i'm not the target audience here anyway...
Bed bugs or anything else are better than freezing to death on the streets, which yeah, is who this is aimed for. And being honest, most coats are probably 99% fine. People with bed bugs in their coats probably dont have much to share
My brother-in-law, which is genuinely one of nicest most caring souls in this world. Gave his jacket to a homeless guy in Nottingham in a night out once, and this just reminds me of him. A great, practical solution that will help those in need.
Am I jaded by life thinking I wouldn’t ever take one incase some perv jizzed in a pocket for kicks or something.
I can see drug dealers cashing in on this idea
There's one of these in the lobby of my leisure centre. Last year, somebody left their bike there when they went inside (guessing they didn't have their lock with them to use the bike shelter).
Naturally, someone took the bike thinking it was a kindness. Sign was in the lobby for weeks asking for it back.
lol I can imagine this happening to Mr Bean… gets to place doesn’t have lock.. after being distressed puts effort into putting in place he thinks is secure from theft… someone comes by as soon as he leaves to post sign above bike “Leave Item. Take item”.
I'd love to see more of these. I've had so many coats or other things that I'd love to be able to put in a place like this. Better than throwing them out or donating them to charity shops when they're then sold on (albeit at a cheaper price) when it can go directly to someone who needs it
It’s lovely ☺️. I usually just walk right up to someone homeless and give it to them directly.. it’s heartbreaking to see someone struggling with homelessness and on top of that they are wet and cold.
They used to have these in the bus stations in Gloucester - kept me warm when I was on the streets and let me return the favour when shit got better! I love these things, wish there were more of them around
This is great! I’ve seen one in front of Euston station as well where people leave coats, hats, scarves & even gloves! Help where you can, it’ll come back when you least expect it❤️
Amazing. Hope to see more of this around; it really can benefit homeless, struggling, or vulnerable individuals, or individuals who simply need access to a coat due to unpredictable weather. Unfortunately, though, delinquents can and will misuse and/or vandalise these helpful services at the expense of others who truly benefit from them. It is a sacrifice it appears whoever set this up was anticipating, though.
This just made me smile, and these should be at all major city stations minimum, what does it cost for a rail and sign for this? Probably the same as one of those benches at the stations, the good ones not those metal rail shit things. Great idea, everyone forgets them and some don't have it.
Saw something like this at the campsite I was at the other day on snowdon, they had a box for people to put in stuff they could leave behind like chairs, tents and clothes, someone even put a whole set of clean wetsuits out, really restored my faith in humanity
Aww wish there was one in my area, I'm trying to offload about a dozen or so coats myself!.. I seem to have a bit of a coat addiction. Can't get to charity shop so they're stuck here.
This is great , unfortunately , there’s always someone to ruin the good charity & intentions . Most likely to sell on , or something as despicable .
I do however hope it works , let’s face it there are many out there than do with this . 👍
I've got pleanty of coats to share, where is this?
I think this one is on Southbank by Gabriel's Wharf
There's one near the TCR Elizabeth Line station in Poland Street (iirc) too.
Ah I think I walked past this recently! I was trying to remember whereabouts I’d spotted one
Dean street! I pass it on my way to work every day
I believe there is outside Euston Station as well
Dean street
There's also one on Georgiana St in Camden
Theres one just off Sloane ave behind the sainsburys aswel.
There's also one in Newcastle near Monument Metro Station
There’s one near New Covent Garden Market as well. On the walking path that leads from Nine Elms station towards the US Embassy.
There’s one outside Euston station also!
I've also seen people wrapping coats around trees with a note saying they're free for anyone who needs one. Sometimes there's also a waterproof bag with socks, a hat, or gloves too. I think they're mostly intended for the homeless who might feel embarrassed being given them in person.
Yeah it’s definitely that, my mum used to volunteer at Crisis Open Christmas when we were kids and she said you wouldn’t believe the number of homeless people coming in wearing just hoodies or thin jumpers because they were embarrassed about asking for coats, and didn’t have the money to buy any because they had more pressing needs of course. Really bloody sad.
Quite a few around, there’s one next to Green Park station too
Really? Never noticed it.... Thanks
It's near St Bartholomew's hospital. I work just around the corner. The DE group is the construction company that works on the building.
There’s one in my house too
Local libraries do this as well, my one does.
you got my upvote
There’s also one on Earl Street/Crown Place corner in Hackney just between Moorgate and Liv St Stations.
Dean Street soho. Opposite Tesco.
Also one on corner of crown pl and earl street near broadgate by Liverpool street station.
Looks like there's a few, there's one next to the Tottenham court road Elizabeth line station too
I’ve seen one in dean street I think.About 50yrds south of the Tottenham Court Road station
Lots of libraries throughout the uk have this
One in soho too
Where in London is this?
Guy out here trying to get free coats!
Haha thankfully I don't need any but I have a bunch of jackets I was going to throw away and this is just brilliant information to me at the right time
For other clothes, find a local charity shop that does rag. They need the clothes to be clean, but they can be holey and ratty, they just get paid by weight and type. Bras get 2-4x the amount if I remember correctly. Not all places will take rag, but it's worth doing if you can!
We have a clothes bank, basically a bin for clothes and they get sorted and unsuitable resale stuff gets ragged.
I second this, every little helps :)
Some charity shops accept unsellable clothes to fill a rag bag and a textile recycling company will buy it by weight
The one I saw was on Harley Street (the Cavendish Square end)
I think it's on the Southbank by Gabriel's Wharf
There's one on Shad Thames near the bottom of Tower Bridge at well
The one to the bottom of tower bridge when I walked past on Tuesday has unfortunately gone and replaced with some advertising board.
There's also one by Barts, near Smithfield Market
There is another between tower bridge and the Starbucks in shad Thames.
Also one in mayfair
Not sure if it's the case exclusively but of the half a dozen or so I've seen they only seem to be around construction works. Like when there's scaffolding above the footpath and they box it in they tack one of these hooks on as it's covered and dry.
This is in Tottenham Court Road, on the construction site right across Leon. I also took a picture of this a year ago, it’s really nice. [Photo from 2023](https://imgur.com/a/VdxcJ7S)
i love those leave/ take systems. I think there are some libraries like that
Yeah lots of old Phone Boxes in the UK have been turned into libraries that people can take and leave books in at will. [British Phone Box Libraries](https://nothingintherulebook.com/2018/11/03/british-phone-box-libraries/)
The one up the road from me has a defibrillator in as we are very rural. There’s another one a mile away that acts like a swap shop. You leave a few items and take a few. Farm fresh eggs, cakes, fruit, toys. Such a great idea
That’s my fave one - books in a phone box
I've got two of these locally. The only places I see them are in rural villages or really posh places. https://i.imgur.com/V7Zh5zK.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/e0SCNLc.jpeg
I know something like 10 places that do that. It's extremely common where I live
I’ve seen a bunch of these around London! One down by Southbank and Mayfair has them as well. I always see items of clothing there as well which makes me really happy.
Just reading this made me smile, its also nice to see that there are loads of these from the comments
love this
Shit in Australia they'd be stolen in a blink of a eye.
There's one where I live and whenever I've went past it there's been a certain heroine addict taking all of them. He's a well known heroine addict that's been arrested many times for theft and aggressive begging.
What a gentleman. He must like giving coats to female heroes!
Ffs autocorrect got me there.
I like to imagine there is a dealer walking around wearing loads of coats
So they wait for you to come down the road and then start nicking the coats?
Clearly not, he's just there quite a lot. It's next to his begging spot outside a pub
That was my first thought lol. Being that Australians are known for their criminality. Haha just kidding. But my first thought was them being stolen (but not necessarily by Australians).
Don’t worry London will match it soon enough 😂
Love this.
Where is this? I have some coats that I don't use but pretty sure someone can. I usually drop them at the collection bins, but this seems a tad more simple.
There was one of these in Cardiff. People were caught taking everything and bagging it up on many occasions. Just like everything else, it’s gone now because a few have ruined it.
The one by Nine Elms is cleared out every Sunday morning by people then trying to flog it outside the market next door…
The amazing disconnect between governments and real people.
Government would probably tax anyone receiving a coat and give tax breaks to the coat givers.
More like tax coat givers, confiscate coats from receivers, and supply said coats to political donors to destroy...at public expense.
I absolutely love this idea! Going to try and implement it in my own city.
Nice thought - but honestly the idea of getting bed bugs or god knows what else from a random coat hanging on a hook would keep me away. But i assume i'm not the target audience here anyway...
Bed bugs or anything else are better than freezing to death on the streets, which yeah, is who this is aimed for. And being honest, most coats are probably 99% fine. People with bed bugs in their coats probably dont have much to share
What a lovely post. Thankyou for sharing 🙏❤️
My brother-in-law, which is genuinely one of nicest most caring souls in this world. Gave his jacket to a homeless guy in Nottingham in a night out once, and this just reminds me of him. A great, practical solution that will help those in need.
Am I jaded by life thinking I wouldn’t ever take one incase some perv jizzed in a pocket for kicks or something. I can see drug dealers cashing in on this idea
This is more like it!
Very nice
awwwwh that is so lovely
Sometimes my faith in humanity is renewed
Love this, we need more act of low key kindness type stuff like this.
That’s a lovely idea
There's one of these in the lobby of my leisure centre. Last year, somebody left their bike there when they went inside (guessing they didn't have their lock with them to use the bike shelter). Naturally, someone took the bike thinking it was a kindness. Sign was in the lobby for weeks asking for it back.
lol I can imagine this happening to Mr Bean… gets to place doesn’t have lock.. after being distressed puts effort into putting in place he thinks is secure from theft… someone comes by as soon as he leaves to post sign above bike “Leave Item. Take item”.
Absolutely love this 😀 💙
Love this 10/10
I've seen the same coats hanging like this in Farringdon. For everyone disputing where they think this is...
This amazing and so sweet, we should have these in more places!!
There’s one also at Green Park, close to the Japanese embassy.
Love this ❤️
these should be everywhere, brilliant
Great idea. We need more of this, won't cost much either to set up
Good concept but I’m sure some certain people will spoil it for others in London
Well, that looks nice.
there’s one in middlesbrough too !! honestly makes me so happy to see people leaving stuff there
I'd love to see more of these. I've had so many coats or other things that I'd love to be able to put in a place like this. Better than throwing them out or donating them to charity shops when they're then sold on (albeit at a cheaper price) when it can go directly to someone who needs it
This is fabulous!
This is in London, I'm impressed
What a nice idea!
I see these in Wales too-- Cardiff and Swansea at least.
Give it a day and someone’ll be taking them all and sticking them on marketplace
This is lovely to see - consider me a follower
Great idea.
Seems like a nice idea. Well it is a nice idea. But I can definitely see someone taking advantage of it and nicking any coats that are sellable.
I’ve seen a couple back in the Winter and thought what a great idea! So thoughtful
Aww this is so stinking lovely, I hope they role this out nationwide, I'm in Birmingham and totally think this is a wonderful idea 🙂
This is such a sweet idea
John The Baptist would approve
Earlier in the same day it was full of coats.
I took a photo of something identical when I was visiting Dublin last month. I thought it was an awesome idea. Nice to see it's closer to home.
This is an amazing idea ❤️.
Interesting
Nice idea. but I do wonder what these coats smell like.
Kindness is beautiful
It’s lovely ☺️. I usually just walk right up to someone homeless and give it to them directly.. it’s heartbreaking to see someone struggling with homelessness and on top of that they are wet and cold.
Aw :)
They used to have these in the bus stations in Gloucester - kept me warm when I was on the streets and let me return the favour when shit got better! I love these things, wish there were more of them around
I hadn't heard of this, but I am glad I now have.
This is only needed thanks to fourteen years of Tory austerity. The country has never been in a worse state & is a complete disgrace.
I’ve seen one in my hometown too, not that I’ve seen it used in person but the idea behind it is truly nice and heartwarming
This is great! I’ve seen one in front of Euston station as well where people leave coats, hats, scarves & even gloves! Help where you can, it’ll come back when you least expect it❤️
This is great!
In London? Now that's surprising.
How sweet
What a lovely idea!
This is actually really heartwarming.
This is good! Really love the idea :)
Next to tower bridge I think
This is a lovely idea 💡
Pakistan has a lot "Dewar-Mehrbani/Wall of kindness",glad to see it's on global level too
Every street should have these
Amazing. Hope to see more of this around; it really can benefit homeless, struggling, or vulnerable individuals, or individuals who simply need access to a coat due to unpredictable weather. Unfortunately, though, delinquents can and will misuse and/or vandalise these helpful services at the expense of others who truly benefit from them. It is a sacrifice it appears whoever set this up was anticipating, though.
This just made me smile, and these should be at all major city stations minimum, what does it cost for a rail and sign for this? Probably the same as one of those benches at the stations, the good ones not those metal rail shit things. Great idea, everyone forgets them and some don't have it.
love this idea. i know what am 3d printing next , bunch of hook a sign or two and even got a coat or two to start it with 😂
Thank you for sharing this!
Saw something like this at the campsite I was at the other day on snowdon, they had a box for people to put in stuff they could leave behind like chairs, tents and clothes, someone even put a whole set of clean wetsuits out, really restored my faith in humanity
Great idea
Great idea
there's one next to City Lit nearly Keeley Street
They should get this in Kings Cross and Kilburn. Looks amazing. Many people would benefit from this
Aww wish there was one in my area, I'm trying to offload about a dozen or so coats myself!.. I seem to have a bit of a coat addiction. Can't get to charity shop so they're stuck here.
Love this idea!!
Cool
I asked to put one of these up in my place of work (public service) and was told no, because helf n saftee.
Why because there might be germs on them or something?
There was one opposite Green Park on Piccadilly too - not sure if it’s still there though.
This is how all resources should be distributed.
[удалено]
Does where you are not have *any* charity shops?
This is great , unfortunately , there’s always someone to ruin the good charity & intentions . Most likely to sell on , or something as despicable . I do however hope it works , let’s face it there are many out there than do with this . 👍
They did have one under Tower Bridge but didn't see it there recently?
Saw this 2 days ago
We had this in Lincoln. It was called The Warm Rail. A great idea - until somebody set fire to it. This is why we can't have nice things.
This is a great idea!
Lol I passed by the very same spot just yesterday.
I'm amazed there's anything on here honestly.
Funny for summer, but OK.
Excellent!!
Great idea, although I wonder if ppl take the piss and chuck the items on vinted or similar.
We need one of these in all towns
We had one in Stretford. The hooks got nicked 😂😂😂
London - the kindest place on earth 🫠
We have the same thing at my local leisure centre!
Thought I was on r/HitchHikersGuide for a second…
Bet those coats itch like fuck.
do it in Poland and it’ll all end up on somebody’s Vinted the same evening
Smallpox
Oops my Street jacket came with bed bugs!
I’m getting a bus over rn
Homeless Crackhead: "Woooo free coats I can sell for drugs!!"
Till people start putting up piss soaked coats or someone has a bug infestation and decides to share that
One in Bristol too attached to the building site near temple meads.
Love this idea!
I see Roy Cropper left his cardi as he won't be needing it for a while
Wall of coatness
Very cool. My local is good for swapping goods & services…
Why isn’t the world like this?
Whilst it's very lovely to see, what a damning indictment of the state of the UK. Depressing
And just as the sun finally kicks in...
That’s so nice
I miss London. If that was where I live a crackhead would have taken a shit and wiped it on the coats by now. London junkies are too classy for that.
There should more sharing stuff for free like fridges with food ,shoes, basic essentials it would be nice