General Chat

Ann - I can't believe the low, low, low price of the Ik...a duvet!. You could buy several, and still have a cheap one.

Liz, friend was used to camping, and should know about putting something over the mattress.

I have just washed two single candlewick bedspreads, in lieu of blankets, which I am passing on.

And to cap it all, today we have more snow falling!.

Can I just add that if you friend has a bed and can pick up another cheap duvet, it will add warmth if she puts that one on the mattress and put a mattress cover over the top before using a bottom sheet. You can also get large throws or even a light synthetic blanket to put over the duvet if is large enough to fall down each side and the bottom of the bed, it will keep out any draughts and be nice and warm or if she can find some flannalette sheets, to use between herself and the duvet it will stop the cover needing washing quite so often and be extra warm as well.

I wasn't sure what the names of the grants etc were from DSS except that it's worth asking about. Is your friend receiving any help if her wage is very low, e.g. working tax credit etc I don't understand them all but worth asking and also worth asking her local vicar if there is anywhere that can help, sometimes church groups can be supportive.

Good luck to your friend and I hope life improves for her soon.

Lizx

Ik*a have a 4.5 tog duvet for £2.59........could add it to the duvet you have found and put them together in a quilt cover.

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90131426

If you manage to get secondhand, you could always stuff it in a bag and put it in a freezer overnight to kill off any insects.

Thanks Sandie for the saucepan info. I decided to empty my caravan of cooking utensils, we shall not be using them until next April/May, and can re-stock gradually.

All of you, thank you so very much for all the helpful suggestions. My friend is working, but not on a decent wage. I am going round town again later this week - weather permitting. We have managed to get hold of a duvet from one of our local cheapy stores, but in this weather extra blankets are a necessity.

Thank you again, I never expected so much response, perhaps your suggestions will be useful to other folk in a similar position.

Angelsong

Hi Angelsong, there is a site called PRELOVED .comwhere you can buy sell get free stuff,if you are buying/selling there isnt a fee like ebay,free to join and people give stuff away for nothing.
have you looked in the section of the charity shops where they have curtains you can get crocheted blankets from that part new wool used to make them i buy them for my cats,you could sow them together if they arent big enough. hope this helps.

Asda.s do really cheap duvets. I bought a king size 13tog one from there for £8.99 The outer covering is a bit large weaved but its fine for the spare bed. She could manage with two duvet sets one on and one in the wash as a starter

In our area we have a sort of depot where things are handed in so that when someone needs help setting up home, they can apply there. I think the things are free or very very cheap. Can you friend not ask for a crisis loan for DSS if she is on benefits or a low income, so she could get some things together?
Have you thought about ringing the Salvation Army, they usually have lots of stuff to help people on the streets etc so I am sure they would let your friend have a couple of blankets or something to use to stay warm.

Wish your friend the best of luck, if I was near you I could probably find a few things being such a hoarder but I don't think you are anywhere near Norfolk.

Lizx

try asking for sleeping bags, istherea local chat group in the same Freecycle area? Perhaps you could ask there as well. In our area the local chat group is called "N----Cafe".
Do you hav eany churches doing an "out of the cold" programme? perhaps they also have connections to someone who could help.
Send a letter to the editor of local newspaper asking where one could look.
Hope this helps.

Some times the charity don't like selling bedding unless it is in perfect condition so will sell it as animal bedding, so ask to see animal bedding aswell. We get quilts all sorts and will sell them if clean!!

jude

If I have any half decent bedding to give away,I take it a local animal sanctuary ,the animals don't care if it is a bit tatty,and it is very usefull for any animals recovering from surgery/illness.

Perhaps that is where it is all going in your area.

Again, thanks folks for your comments. As I said, I had tried freecycle, and also the local charity shops. All my friend has to use are two blankets, not enought in this weather!

I have asked round my family, but they have no surplus. Will carry on looking.

I gave all our old blankets to a local charity who make regular runs to orphanges in the easten bloc countries.Mostly the ones they send too are in Romania

I was so overwhelmed to see these orphanges that often housed kiddies abanded cos they had disabilties and the struggle the staff had to care for them. Maybe thats why the local charity shops dont have blankets.
People too sometimes dont want bedding that they arent sure of.
Our local charity shop doesnt accept bedding just in case!!

Angel - in a lot of towns/cities there are depots for everything and anything in good conditon that people give away and it is free to those beginning to set up home etc. Try Social Office/Town Hall. Someone must know. Definitely try freecycle it is amazing what people give away, all types of furniture, tvs, fridges, washers, etc.

Again, thank you all for your comments. I am having another trek round the shops next week when we go to town, and will ask this time.

I was in our local Bernardo's and saw a lady buying two large blankets in a bag for under £3 a couple of days ago .

As Gwyn says , it's always worth asking if the shop has any blankets out the back .

l work for Oxfam and we have old blankets and pots and pans. l bought a brand new pillow the other day goose feather for £2.99.

Shame your not in Monmouth.

jude

Have you got any indoor boot sales your way?

Or look to see if got any jumble sales on this weekend.

Hazelx

Sometimes bulky items are too big to have 'on show' but it's worth asking in the various charity shops.

I have more often seen blankets in the smaller local charity shops, rather than the national ones. I bought a beautiful soft cellular one for our caravan. Looked as if it was hardly used. It washed up a treat and is very cosy.

Gwyn

Thanks for your reply Hazel. Yes, I am a freecycler. and have asked for bedding, but none has been offered.