7 August 2025
This week, I had the privilege of visiting Clothing Coventry, a charity doing vital work to support families across our city. Based in Hillfields, the organisation provides free, good-quality second-hand clothing and shoes to those in need — and their impact continues to grow year after year.
Right now, they’re preparing for their annual School Uniform Pop-Up, running from 12th to 29th August at Queens Road Baptist Church, open Tuesday to Friday, 10am–3pm. The pop-up will offer free school uniforms for Coventry schools, helping families ahead of the new academic year. With the rising cost of living, this service is more important than ever — and demand is expected to be high.
During my visit, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the charity’s driving forces — Chris Tooth.
Chris began volunteering at Clothing Coventry after retiring, simply looking for a way to stay active. Today, she volunteers five days a week and runs the School Uniform Bank, helping families across Coventry access essential clothing. Her dedication is extraordinary, and it was clear from our conversation that she plays a central role in keeping the service running smoothly and supporting the wider team.
This year, Chris has been named a finalist in the BBC CWR Make a Difference Great Neighbour Award 2025, a well-deserved recognition of her tireless work and the positive impact she’s had on so many lives. You can hear more about Chris and other finalists on the BBC Make a Difference programme.
While at the site, I also visited Baby Godiva, Coventry’s dedicated baby bank, which shares premises with Clothing Coventry. Baby Godiva provides free pre-loved and new baby essentials — from nappies and wipes to prams and clothing — to families experiencing hardship. Though they’re currently closed to donations until 1st September, their commitment to supporting parents in need remains unwavering. Their work ensures that no family has to choose between heating their home and buying nappies — and that every child gets the best possible start.
Together, Clothing Coventry and Baby Godiva form a powerful partnership rooted in compassion, dignity, and practical support. These organisations are more than service providers — they’re lifelines for families across Coventry.
A huge thank you to everyone at Clothing Coventry and Baby Godiva for the incredible work you do. Your efforts are helping to build a stronger, fairer Coventry.
If you’d like to explore more local services and support for families, you can find a range of resources on my Help & Advice page.
