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Rails filled with jackets, dresses, shirts and trousers lined the wall and clear boxes filled with hangers sat on the tables. People fluttered about, some sorting clothes while others brought black bags and suitcases full of clothes in from the rain outside.

This is the Working Wardrobe in action, an initiative where people from all over Caerphilly County Borough can come to access work clothes for free.

The hub was set up in 2020 by Moxie People, Platfform and United Welsh to ensure that access to good work clothing was not a barrier to employment.

“There was a need for clothing,” said Louise Edwards, who works for Platfform and is also the partnership lead for the Gwent Out of Work Service.

“The programme was set up to help people access clothing for interviews or employment,” she added.

The Caerphilly hub is now run by staff and volunteers from Platfform, the mental health and social change charity and operates out of Bargoed Community Centre, in Heol Pencarreg.

The concept is simple. The clothes are displayed on rails and people can pick what they need – for free.

Often people from projects like the Platfform-led Gwent Out of Work Service are referred to get help on their employment journey but people from the wider community are also very welcome.

“We’re open to anyone,” said Louise. “There’s no need to have an appointment and the atmosphere is really nice as well.”

There are many success stories of people who have accessed the scheme, from college students needing suitable clothes to a Ukrainian refugee who came with her son.

“There was a lady who came from Ukraine as well who had nothing,” said Julie Bignell, a volunteer who was there on the day.

Google translate helped everyone to overcome the language barrier and mother and son left happy with clothes. “It was fantastic,” Julie added.

Just as each hub has different partners they also have users with different needs.

“Every hub is different,” said Louise, adding that in the Caerphilly area they found that it’s helpful to have workboots and hi-vis jackets available as well as jeans for less formal workplaces.

It’s a sign the wardrobe is meeting a need.

One woman who needed to attend three funerals with no suitable clothing came to the hub.

“She had nothing,” said Louise, “we’re not going to turn people away.”

The clothes are versatile, clean, presentable and of a high standard.

In fact, Louise often wears the clothes herself. She wore an outfit to a launch event – helping to change perceptions and gaining respect by doing so.

Donations are received from a wide network and then clothes are chosen, steamed and styled.

Volunteer Bronia Conway who used to work at the clothing store Hobbs takes responsibility for the aesthetic of the hub which is important.

“It’s about the quality of the garments and how…you present them,” said Bronia.

“We put a screen up, make them try on things,” she said, “so they feel valued.”

The rails serve another purpose too as they act as a good distraction and help people open up about what they need.

“We’ll talk about other things like while they’re looking,” said Bronia, adding that while their mind is on other things they forget that they need to be a certain person.

It’s good then, that help doesn’t stop there.

“It’s like a 360 approach,” said Bronia, as unemployed people can be referred to the Gwent Out of Work Service when they come to the hub.

“The whole thing,” said Bronia, “actually gets [to] the people who need it.”

That includes the volunteers themselves who give up their valuable time and find the work rewarding.

“It’s a fantastic place, where everybody’s friendly,” said Julie, “you’ve got no barriers.”

Julie’s own barriers have been broken down and she said: “When I first came to Platfform, I wasn’t very approachable. I was very, very unstable mentally.”

Now she’s at the heart of the team and looks forward to it every week, especially as it’s always different.

“You don’t know what you’re going to pull out of the bag,” said Julie.

That can be literal too as some items don’t make it to the rails – like a diving mask and some rogue bikini bottom.

The holistic approach continues here too, with unsuitable items being taken by another volunteer, Kevin Morris, to St Gwladys’ church in Bargoed.

Kevin has volunteered with Platfform for a number of years – he helped to deliver food during covid – and now is part of the Working Wardrobe team.

The church is happy to receive the donations and also helps Kevin’s wellbeing.

He said: “It’s saved me.

“I’ve been struggling stress-wise for a long time,” Kevin added, “Coming up here, relieves my stress.”

A survey conducted of more than 10,000 people by YouGov on behalf of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) in 2019 showed that 77% of people said volunteering had improved their mental health.

The project is, as Bronia said: “A perfect fit – but in lots of ways,” giving people who access it the help they need.

In the future, Louise and the team hope to get the word out there so that everyone knows about it.

“Even if you don’t have an interview lined up,” said Louise, “access it.”

Or there’s the option of volunteering like Kevin, who loves what he does.

“I can’t wait until Thursday to get up here,” he said, “that’s how good it is.”

The Caerphilly Hub is open from 9.30am to 12.30pm every Thursday at Bargoed Community Centre.