Bridport Clothes Bank 4 Ukraine is moving into a new home.

After being set up in response to Ukrainian residents fleeing the country following the Russian invasion, the group will be moving to Beaminster and reopening at the end of this month.

The group estimates there are around 60 Ukrainian refugees in the Bridport area, who have received ongoing support from many community groups, businesses, individuals, charities and the town council.

Bridport Clothes Bank 4 Ukraine recently confirmed as an Unincorporated Association recognised by the Charity Commission. 

The whole project was originally set up by Claire Nuttall and Jane Wain as a donation centre operating initially from a unit at St Michael's lent by the Hayward Estate.

A spokesman for the group said: "The local community gave very generously and, with the help of a large group of volunteers, an astonishing amount of clothes, medical supplies and other essentials were sorted, packed and driven to Poland and Ukraine.

"However, after a couple of months and a number of successful trips, it became clear that needs were changing and the vast amount of donated clothes remaining could be put to best use here in West Dorset.

"So, a group of the volunteers had the bright idea of forming the Clothes Bank 4 Ukraine to give the clothes to Ukrainian refugees who were actually now arriving in West Dorset, often with little more than what they were wearing."

The clothes bank was then lent a barn in Mapperton Farm near Beaminster where it has been running successfully over the summer. However, it is on the move again to premises kindly arranged by Emily Palmer Remus, on behalf of Palmers Brewery, to a space at Unit 3, The White Hart Yard, Hogshill Street, with its entrance just off Beaminster Square.

The spokesman added: "The clothes bank has so far welcomed Ukrainians and their hosts from Beaminster, Dorchester and as far away as Portland, Weymouth and Lyme. Volunteer staff have posted signs in Ukrainian in the shop and have very much appreciated the help of the Google Translate app in order to communicate. Clothes are, of course, being given to the refugees completely free of charge."

A weekly meeting has been set up by Jim Tigg and his wife, Jenny, for Bridport Ukrainian Friends on Tuesdays at 3pm at the Quaker Meeting House in South Street for people to connect with each other and share information.

The clothes bank will be open on August 30, thanks to Bridport Round Table which kindly donated funds for shop fittings.

Times of opening will be posted on the following Facebook pages - Bridport Notice Board, Beaminster Banter and Ranter and Bridport Clothes Bank 4 Ukraine. If you have donations, please message one of those groups to arrange collection, and if you would like to volunteer, let them know.