Richborough has helped St Basils transform an unused room at its Live & Work centre in Birmingham city centre into a welcoming Walk-in Wardrobe, providing young residents with free clothing for work, apprenticeships and interviews.
Members of the Richborough team have worked on the project behind the scenes over recent months, volunteering their time alongside their busy day jobs to design, install, stock and maintain the new facility.
Supporting young people to live and work in Birmingham
Located on William Booth Lane, St Basils’ Live & Work Birmingham provides affordable accommodation for young people aged 18–25 who are working or undertaking an apprenticeship.
Residents pay £400 a month, including bills, giving them an opportunity to live independently, establish their careers and save for their futures. The initiative is designed to improve young people’s opportunities and help prevent homelessness, while creating wider benefits for Birmingham’s communities and economy.
Read more about St Basils Live & Work Birmingham.
Creating the St Basils Walk-in Wardrobe
St Basils wanted to turn an unused room at the centre into an inviting, shop-style wardrobe where residents could browse, try on and take free clothing suitable for work and interviews.
Richborough helped bring the idea to life by:
- Planning the layout, including the changing area, clothing rails and dedicated toiletries and cosmetics space
- Creating the Walk-in Wardrobe name and branding
- Supporting the installation
- Providing donations of new and nearly new clothing, toiletries and cosmetics
- Organising the clothing by size, style and colour
- Making regular visits to prepare new donations and keep the wardrobe looking its best
The aim was to create a practical and appealing space that residents would feel comfortable using, with good-quality clothing suited to young people beginning or developing their careers.
Walk-in Wardrobe receives residents’ approval
Around 700 young people are expected to pass through the wardrobe each year as part of St Basils’ employability programme.
Most importantly, the completed space has already received the thumbs-up from Live & Work residents.
Zaroia said: “The wardrobe has been so useful – I’ve taken a nice jacket and two tops so far. I’m really enjoying living at Live & Work.”
Catherine Martin, Communications Director at Richborough, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Walk-in Wardrobe come together and, most importantly, to see residents using it as they build their careers.
“A huge thank you to our team members who have generously given up their lunchtimes to organise the wardrobe and keep it looking its best.”
The Richborough Way in action
The project reflects The Richborough Way by using the team’s skills, creativity and commitment to deliver lasting value for people and communities.
It also supports Richborough’s belief that places should enable people to live and work well. By combining design, branding, practical support and ongoing volunteering, the team has helped St Basils create a facility that can support hundreds of young people every year.
Donations needed for the St Basils Walk-in Wardrobe
The wardrobe has already proved popular, with many of its clothes finding new homes with residents. Further donations are now needed to replenish the rails.
Items required are:
- New or nearly new, good-quality clothing suitable for work and interviews
- Contemporary styles suitable for people in their late teens and twenties
- Smart jackets, trousers, skirts, dresses, shirts, blouses and tops
- Smart shoes, bags and work-appropriate accessories
- New and unopened toiletries and cosmetics
Individuals and organisations that would like to support the Walk-in Wardrobe or arrange a donation are invited to contact catherine.martin@richborough.co.uk
🎥Watch the video to see how the room was transformed and meet some of the Richborough team behind the project.