The Swap Shop, located at the 24-bed Cygnet Delfryn Lodge, has been launched to ensure women hospitalised with their mental health have access to clothing which will make them feel comfortable and confident whilst on their recovery journey.
The shop offers a range of clean pre-owned clothing items, allowing service users to select what they need free of charge. In return, they are encouraged to swap items they no longer needs. New patients are provided with essential clothing upon admission, ensuring they feel comfortable and supported from the moment they arrive.
The initiative, spearheaded by Joe Morgan, Cygnet Health Care Activity Coordinator, and colleague Lisa Kettle, aims to provide service users with a sense of dignity and pride, while reducing their anxiety upon admission.
Joe said: “We decided to set up the Swap Shop for our service users to give them increased access to essential items, which will help them feel more at ease when they arrive at the service. Some of our patients arrive at the hospital with little or no belongings, or even clean clothes.
“Having the community support us with donating unused clothing will help us to support the women in our care, giving them a renewed sense of confidence and dignity as they look to recover and get back towards independent living. Having smart, clean clothes all contributes towards giving people a sense of pride in themselves whilst they spend time in hospital and progress on their pathway.
“New admissions will be able to choose the items they need on arrival. We understand this time can be daunting for people, so whilst they settle in we want to make sure they have access to essential items. This will hopefully take away any anxieties they have at the time.”
The Swap Shop will also create jobs for service users to undertake, such as a Swap Shop Assistant, who will be in charge of sorting through the clothing, displaying them and running the shop alongside staff members.
Joe said: “The Swap Shop will be a valuable resource for our service users. It will positively impact their access to essential items and improve their sense of community, whilst giving them work experience.
“The chance to work at the shop will aid towards building their confidence, maintaining a routine and helping them financially.
“We also feel this is a sustainable project as we are heavily relying on recycled or donated clothing, this will minimise waste and serve a new purpose. Not only do donations help the environment, they also make a significant difference and provide our service users with comfort during their stay at Delfryn Lodge.”
To ensure the shop is well-stocked and can meet the needs of service users, the team at Cygnet Delfryn Lodge will rely on the generosity of the local community.
Staff at Cygnet Delfryn Lodge will accept donations year round and can arrange for donations to be collected or dropped off at the service.
The Swap Shop is looking for men’s or women’s clothing in all sizes, particularly:
- Outerwear (jackets and coats)
- Loungewear
- Nightwear
- Socks and underwear (brand new for hygiene reasons)
- Shoes and slippers
- Coat hangers
To donate to Cygnet Delfryn Lodge’s Swap Shop, please call 01352 707220 and ask for Joe Morgan or Lisa Kettle.
Cygnet Delfryn Lodge, on Argoed Hall Lane, Mold, is a 24-bed high support inpatient rehabilitation (level 2) service for women who have severe and enduring mental illness and who may have been detained under the Mental Health Act. It is part of the Cygnet Health Care division.