How your support is providing vulnerable patients with dignity and  respect in their time of need

Because of you, Leicester’s Hospitals can continue to offer a clothes bank service for patients in need, ensuring comfort and dignity during vulnerable moments.

 

Every week, many patients arrive at Leicester’s Hospitals in damaged, or inadequate clothing. This can often be a result of emergency situations where clothing must be cut away or sometimes due to personal circumstances. For many, leaving the hospital can present significant challenges— especially for those without family, next of kin, or access to suitable clothing for discharge.

Your support means that a clothes bank service is available across Leicester’s Hospitals, which is fully stocked with unisex essentials like jogging bottoms, jumpers, and T-shirts in a range of sizes.

For staff at Leicester’s Hospitals, being able to offer clothing to patients in need is an important and valued part of the care they provide. Something as simple as a clean set of clothes can make a real difference to a

patient’s wellbeing when leaving the hospital. Knowing they can provide this support gives many staff a sense of pride and reassurance that they are helping patients beyond their immediate medical needs.

Eleanor Skea, Ward Sister on the Emergency Decisions Unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary, shared, “I see firsthand the impact the clothes bank has on our patients. It’s a simple act of kindness, but it means so much. Making sure someone has clean, comfortable clothing does more than just meet a basic need – it helps restore their dignity in a moment of vulnerability. I often see the relief on patients’ faces when we offer them something clean and comfortable to wear, and in that moment, their smile says it all. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that such a small gesture can bring so much comfort.”

Whether it’s someone who was admitted in damaged clothing after an emergency or a patient without access to spare clothes, being able to provide this support makes a difficult time a little easier. A thoughtful act like this not only provides warmth and dignity but leaves a lasting impact on a patient’s experience.

It’s no secret the pressures our hospitals sometimes face. With suitable clothing readily available, patients can leave the hospital on time, helping to ensure that Leicester’s Hospitals can run smoothly and compassionately.

This initiative is only possible because of you and your continued support. Your kindness has helped to create a humble but impactful provision for some of the most vulnerable people in our community, offering care, compassion, and respect when it’s needed most.