Free children’s coats and pyjamas – drop-in and grab what you need!

Families can drop-in and pick-up free children’s coats and pyjamas from Monday (14th) no forms or pre-booking, just drop-in and grab what you need.

Lots of quality new and nearly new coats and pyjamas are available for ages three to 12, so don’t miss out. Pick-up points will be open across Dorset from Monday 14^th to Sunday 20^th December, some venues are only open on certain days, so please check timings below.

Thank you to everyone who contributed, new and nearly new coats and pyjamas have been flooding in across Dorset.

Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help, said: “Please drop-in and pick up a warm winter coat and pyjamas, it is very easy, no forms, no pre-booking – just nip in and grab what you need.

“Outdoor play is incredibly beneficial for children, and with winter drawing in we are pleased that thanks to our community pulling together we will be able to provide winter coats and pyjamas to help Dorset’s children stay cosy this Christmas.”

Where to pick-up coats and pyjamas – from Mon 14 December

Coats and pyjamas can be picked up from Monday 14th to Sunday 20th December, after an isolation period to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Please just drop-in, there are no checks, forms or pre-booking – simply help where it’s needed.

Pick-up: Monday 14 – Sunday 20 December (subject to individual opening times)

Pick-up points

(please note more locations may be added so please do check back)

The Centre Ferndown (Trickett’s Cross)
Barns Road, Ferndown, BH22 8XH
01202 872312

Pick up: dates/times: Tue 15 – Fri 18, 9am-5pm

Bridport Children’s Centre

Skilling Hill Road, Bridport, DT6 5LA
Tel: 01308 421714
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 3-4pm

Swanage Children’s Centre
Chapel Lane, Swanage, BH19 2PW
Tel: 01305 557000
Pick up dates/times: Tues 15 and Wed 16 9am – 1pm

Wareham Children’s Centre
Streche Road, Wareham BH20 4PG
Tel: 01929 557000
Pick up dates/times: Wed 16 and Thurs 17^, 12 – 3pm

Dorchester Children’s Centre
Middle Farm Way, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3WA
Tel: 01305 224220
Pick up only – dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 10am – 4pm

Blandford Children’s Centre
Black Lane, Blandford, DT11 8SW
Tel: 01258 474036
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 9:30am – 4pm

Shaftesbury Children’s Centre
Wincombe Lane. Shaftesbury, SP7 8PZ
Tel: 01258 474036
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 9:30am – 4pm

Sherborne Children’s Centre
Tinney’s Lane, Sherborne, DT9 3DY
Tel: 01258 474036
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 9:30am – 4pm

Wimborne Children’s Centre
Gordon Road, Wimborne Minster, Wimborne, BH21 2AP
Tel: 01202 225710
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 10am – 2pm

Weymouth Children’s Centre (Mulberry)
2 Newstead Rd, Weymouth, DT4 8JE
Tel: 01305 225750
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 10am – 2pm

Outlooks Children’s Centre (Portland)
Outlooks Castle Road, Portland, DT5 1AU
Tel: 01305 225750
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14th, 3-5pm, Tue 15th, 10am-2pm, Wed 16th, 10-midday

St Bartholomew’s Church (Foyer)
Church Lane, Sutton Waldron, DT11 8PB
Tel:  07710 395359
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 9am – 4pm, Sat 19, 9am – 2pm

Friends of Stour Connect
Stour Connect Buildings, Stour View Close, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1JF
Tel: 01258 471359
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 8:30am – 4pm

Age UK Bridport Shop
West Street, Bridport
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14th – Fri 18, 10am – 4pm, Sat 19, 10am – 4pm

Age UK Dorchester Shop
Trinity Street, Dorchester
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 10am – 4pm, Sat 19, 10am – 4pm

Age UK Weymouth Shop
98 St Mary Street, Weymouth
Pick up dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 10am – 4pm, Sat 19, 10am – 4pm

Free School meal vouchers and other support for families

Vulnerable families in Dorset will receive help with the costs of food and fuel this winter. Dorset Council has been awarded up to £922,153 from the government’s Covid Winter Grant Scheme to support children and families across the county.

Some of this money will be used to make sure families who need it, including those who receive free school meals, receive food vouchers during the Christmas holidays and February half term. Families will receive details of this scheme direct from their school.

Dorset Council is also working with partner agencies to target support to help families facing fuel poverty this winter, more details will be available soon.

Read more about support for families this winter. 

Further help and support for residents this winter

Dorset Council and partners in the community response to COVID-19 are working together to offer help and support to struggling residents this winter. 

Find out more about the help and support on offer.