Pre-loved clothes and baby equipment are being given a new lease of life and diverted from landfill by two city organisations.  

A Truro branch of national charity GrowBaby was launched on Monday at City Life Church on Chapel Hill, offering clothing for under-fives and a host of useful items. 

And Cornwall Children’s Clothes Bank will hold a pre-loved clothes event tomorrow at All Saints Church, Highertown from 10am until noon.  

The GrowBaby group grew out of a “share-and-care” table which ran successfully at City Life Church’s many toddler groups. Existing GrowBaby groups in Falmouth and Launceston attract people from some distance.   

“People always need things, and we wondered how we could do it bigger,” said organiser Lorna Sapsford. “We now have a room full of boxes of clothes, cots, buggies and Moses baskets.”   

Browsing sessions take place on term-time Mondays. Everything is free and there’s no need to book. Donations can be made during term-time on Mondays between 1pm and 2.30pm, and on Wednesdays and Thursdays between noon and 1pm. 

“I want to help lighten the load of the cost-of-living burden – and it’s good for the environment too,” said Lorna.  

Car seats must have been purchased within five years and not been in an accident. Books are welcome, but toys are not currently taken.  

Electrical items are PAT tested and it goes without saying that donations should be in good working order. “If it’s something you’d be happy to pass onto a friend, that’s usually a good sign,” said Lorna.  

The Cornwall Children’s Clothes Bank has the twin aims of supporting local families and reusing good quality clothing. Donations of good, clean children’s clothes are donated by the community and redistributed free of charge at monthly events.  

All are welcome, but booking is necessary, along with a steer on what type or age of clothing you are looking for so examples can be prepared in advance.  

Storage facilities at the church are bursting with a wide range of items for all ages, from babies to 16-year-olds, and including coats, shoes and school uniform. Even underwear is welcome, as long as it’s clean and in good nick.  

A limited amount of maternity wear and toddler bedding is also available (but not equipment).  

Cornwall has been identified as having one of the highest rates of poverty in Europe, thanks to low wages and high rents, a situation exacerbated by the current cost-of-living crisis. 

The bank was launched several years ago as a volunteer-run self-help group (not a charity) with the aim of helping struggling local families.  

However, planning committee member Wendy Vincent said the principle of encouraging the circular use of “pre-loved” clothing is equally important.  

“We never ask why people have come to us for clothes,” she says. “Some people need it, while others are simply fed up with clothing going into landfill. It’s for everyone.” 

Donations can be dropped off on dates when volunteers are sorting clothes at the church hall. Clothing for older children is especially welcome, as are shoes, although Wendy pleads: “Please clean them first – my husband despairs when I take over the living room to do it.” 

The events take place monthly on Thursday mornings from 10am to noon; future dates are March 7, April 18, May 16, June 20 and July 18.  

Both groups can be found on Facebook: @CCCB Events and @Growbaby Truro at City Life Church