Clothing banks
Your old clothes, someone's new start
Our clothing banks turn the bag in the back of your wardrobe into money that keeps people safe, warm and housed across the North East.
How it works
A bag of clothes, a night off the street
You'll have seen our blue and green banks outside shops, car parks and community buildings. Drop a bag in and it goes for reuse — most of it worn again by someone, somewhere, rather than buried in the ground.
The clothing is collected and sorted by ECS Textiles, who run the banks with us. Cornerstone takes a share of everything they sell, and that share comes straight back into the work: beds, support workers, hot showers and a way off the street for people across County Durham and Hartlepool.
- Cornerstone receives a percentage of the gross sale of everything collected, with no deductions taken off first.
- That money goes directly to supporting and housing homeless people in the North East.
- Our partner ECS Textiles empties and maintains the banks, so hosting one costs you nothing.
Yes please
What goes in the bank
Bag everything up before you post it through the hatch — it keeps things clean and dry, and makes sorting far quicker at the other end.
Clean, reusable clothes
Anything you'd be happy to pass to a friend. Coats, jumpers, jeans, shirts, kids' clothes — men's, women's and children's all welcome.
Paired shoes
Tie the laces together or pop them in a carrier bag, so the pair stays a pair once it reaches the sorting floor.
Bedding and towels
Sheets, blankets, curtains and towels, as long as they're clean and dry.
Bags, belts and accessories
Handbags, rucksacks, belts, scarves and hats.
Toys
Clean toys with all their pieces, please — bagged up so nothing gets lost in the bin.
Bric-a-brac
Small household odds and ends, as long as they aren't glass and won't break in the bag.
Please don't
What we can't take
Every bag of the wrong thing costs us money to dispose of, which comes straight out of what the bank raises. If you're not sure, it's kinder to leave it out.
- Soiled or wet rags, and anything damp — it spoils everything else in the bin
- Single shoes without their pair
- Carpet and rugs
- Pillows and duvets
- Glass, metal and paper — these belong in your kerbside recycling
- General rubbish of any kind
Where to find them
Your nearest clothing bank
There are 11 clothing banks across 9 sites in County Durham, Teesside and Newcastle, and you can use them any time the car park they sit in is open. Tap a map for directions.
Low Willington
- Cornerstone Supported Housing & Counselling, Low Willington
Host a bin
Room for a clothing bank?
If you have a car park, a yard or a bit of hard standing, a clothing bank costs you nothing and raises money for local people every time someone uses it. Tell us about the site and we'll come and take a look.
Does hosting a bin cost anything?
No. The bank is delivered, emptied and maintained for you at no charge. All we ask is somewhere it can sit safely with room for a van to reach it.
Who empties it, and how often?
Our partner ECS Textiles collects from every bank on a regular round, and steps the visits up if a site fills quickly. You'll have a direct number to call if it needs emptying sooner.
The bin is full — what should I do?
Please don't leave bags on the ground beside it, as they get wet or taken and then can't be sold. Ring the number on the bank itself, 0191 280 1239, and it will be emptied.
How much of the money actually reaches Cornerstone?
We receive a percentage of the gross sale of the items collected, with nothing deducted beforehand. It goes directly into supporting and housing homeless people in the North East.
Can I put a bag of clothes in for a friend or a house clearance?
Yes, as long as everything is clean, dry and in the 'yes please' list above. For larger amounts, or for furniture, get in touch and we'll sort a collection instead.
A bank has been damaged or graffitied
Let us know and we'll get it dealt with. The banks belong to ECS Textiles, and damage or theft from them is pursued.
One bag is a start. There are other ways to help.
Give what you can, give your time, or give the furniture that's been sat in the spare room since March.