What is the Small Project?
The Small Project is a baby & children’s clothes library in Lambeth North, South London. We encourage the reuse, recycling and redistribution of children’s clothing. Our priorities are to support those facing financial barriers, as well as recycling pre-loved clothes and encouraging a sharing economy for our local families.
Through The Small Project we want to make sure that good quality baby clothes and equipment, which are no longer needed by one family can easily be passed on to another. In 2021, we supported 96 referrals alone, totalling 140 bundles of clothes for children, with many families re-using the service for the next size up. We call ourselves a library because we’re a service which people can return to again and again as their babies grow and need larger clothing.
The Small Project was started by Linda, who, with a group of local mums, began collecting and distributing donations from a bedroom cupboard in 2015. This was quickly outgrown, and moved in to the Oasis Playspace in 2016. In 2021, we became part of Oasis Hub Waterloo.
We are based at Oasis Playspace, next door to the Imperial War Museum in Southwark. We are largely volunteer run, and rely on the support from local community members to donate time, money and items to the service
What do we offer?
We offer free bundles of clothes, baby essentials and other children’s items (age 0-11yrs) to families who need them. Families can either be referred by any professional working with them, or can reach out to seek support directly. We also try to signpost and offer any additional support through the range of services through Oasis Hub Waterloo, and other local groups.
Our Thursday morning sessions are also an opportunity for everyone to have a cup of tea, chat and share useful information, and for the children to play in our Playspace.
Referral Process
Clothing bundles and other baby equipment are available to anyone in financial need or experiencing difficult circumstances. We encourage service users to re-use the service as their children grow.
If you are a professional wishing to refer a family, please ensure you have consent from the family when you complete the referral form below. We will then get in touch with yourself and/or the family to arrange a pick-up date and time.
We do also take self-referrals, at our discretion.
Referring a family
By filling in this form, users are consenting for data to be held by Oasis Hub Waterloo for necessary operation of the service.
Unfortunately the Small Project is unable to deliver bundles. We are located at the Oasis Playspace SE11 4TU. Please take into account the distance the service users will need to travel in order to pick up bundles.
We are based at Lambeth North/Elephant & Castle. Please bear in mind whether there may be a closer service for your client. You can have a look at Baby Banks here.
If you are referring a service user who does not speak English, and are you unable to pick up the bundles on their behalf, we will try our best to communicate with them. In your referral, please let us know the level of English and which language they speak if appropriate in the “any other relevant information about the family box”.
You can contact Charlotte with any queries at: thesmallproject@oasiswaterloo.org. We’ll normally get back to you within a week to update you on the progress of your referral.