What does the Bank of Things do?
Provides Vital Resources for Young People.
The Bank of Things is a joint partnership between Lewisham Local and the Lewisham young Mayor project. The service is aimed at Young People aged 11 to 25 living in Lewisham. Former Young Mayors have used their position to develop the Bank of Things to address the issue of poverty and lack of resources for young people in the borough. We now supply everyday necessities to any young person facing hardship living, studying or working in Lewisham.
“what’s on for young people in Lewisham 26” PDF please click –>
Why?
1 in 5 of the UK population live below the poverty line
4.2 million children and young people live in poverty, that’s 29%
London has the highest rate of child poverty of any English region
Lewisham is the 7th most deprived borough
WHERE AND WHEN?
We run our service from a variety of locations around the borough including: Elevate 100 in Downham, TNG in Sydenham, Community Space in Lewisham central, The Albany in Deptford with new locations planned in Bellingham and Deptford. The idea is that young people will be able to drop in and pick up some of the everyday items they need to participate fully in their lives, no referral needed, and no proof of need, just come to us and we will do our best to help you out.
Items include toiletries, sanitary products and some school uniform and equipment.
We also signpost young people to additional support including funding, health, mental health and wellbeing, activities, opportunities and volunteering.
Click on the PDF below for a list of what’s on for young people in 2026.
If you would like to let us know about something you’d like to add to this list, please email hannah@lewishamlocal.com
Get Help
If you are struggling to afford everyday essentials such as personal care products or school supplies, you can come and collect what you need from us. We usually have deodorant, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and sanitary products as well as a selection of stationary, maths sets and scientific calculators. We are a donations-based service and we try our best to have these items in stock as much as possible.
Donate items to The Bank of Things!
We are looking for donations of new and unopened products including:
Deodorant, facewash, shampoo, conditioner, pads and tampons, toothpaste, moisturisers, sun cream, scientific calculators, a4 lined refill pads, A4 squared refill pads, note books, highlighters, green, blue, black and red biros, maths sets, 30 cm rulers, clear plastic pencil cases, post it notes, revision cards and reusable water bottles and black backpacks.
Donations can be dropped off between 10am and 5pm on Monday, Wednesday or Friday at Orchard Garden’s community centre, Columbine way, SE13 7LQ (https://what3words.com/living.highs.rainy) using the donation bins by the front door, or you can use our registry via our Linktree here
or at Common Good here to easily select items and they will get sent to us.
If you would like to arrange a collection or organise a donation drive in your local area please contact Hannah.
If you would like to arrange a collection or organise a donation drive in your local area please contact Hannah.
DONATE funds*
We are also looking for financial support to help make sure the Bank of Things has the right stock to hand so that no young person leaves without the items they need. If you would like to support us by donating funds please follow this link:
* Fundraising, payments and donations will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme, operating as DONATE, a charity registered in England and Wales (1149800) and Scotland (SC045106). In addition to any text donation, you will incur your standard network message charge (based on your service provider rates). For Terms & Conditions, see www.easydonate.org
Volunteer
Do you have some time to spare? We are looking for dedicated volunteers from a range of ages and backgrounds from 13 years plus to help us run the service. From collections of donated items, to deliveries, packing up and distributing the packs and helping to raise awareness, if you think you can help please email hannah@lewishamlocal.com