Rails of multi-coloured summer shirts, jackets and t-shirts, and a table groaning with pants, socks and even flip flops fill a very unique and temporary pop up bazaar at the back of the Salford Unemployed and Community Resource Centre (SUCRC) in Eccles.
While all year round, people are asking for donations of thick socks, coats and jumpers to clothe the homeless, what happens when summer comes around?
"We've noticed in the last week that even though the weather had improved and it was sunny, the reason our clients were wearing their winter clothes was that they didn't have any other clothes to wear" says SURC's Alec McFadden, manager of the Centre that runs a breakfast club for the homeless, plus a prison projects for ex-inmates, as well as giving benefit, housing and employment advice.
The Centre asked its activists, volunteers and supporters to bring in summer clothes and the result is a room bursting with garments that are cool – at least until it starts raining again.
This morning, when the doors opened at 10:30am there were a dozen people waiting in line for their pick of the groovy outfits, and more followed throughout the day. For Alec McFadden it's symptomatic of the current state of the country...
"The reality is that the benefits these people are on are so meagre" he explains "You often hear 'heat or eat' but some of these people haven't had a change of clothes for years. That's why we've done this giveaway for the homeless and poor."
The staff also noticed that when many of their clients came into the Centre they didn't smell too pretty, so now with a grant from the Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Fund handed over by local community police this week, a washing machine and dryer are also being purchased...
"The community police came in and said that they were really pleased with the affect the breakfast club and prison project were having for the community in terms of reduction in crime and aggravation" he adds "So, yesterday they came in with a cheque for £2,065 which will be used to support the prison project but also to get equipment so that the clothes our clients wear can be washed."
The Salford Unemployed and Community Resource Centre pop up bazaar is open tomorrow from 10:30am to 4pm, and possibly Monday if stocks last. Anyone who is homeless or economically struggling can just turn up and help themselves to free swanky summer threads...
Salford Unemployed and Community Resource Centre
84-86 Liverpool Road, Eccles M30 0WZ
For more details phone 0161 789 2999
Main photo shows the centre's volunteers with the goods
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