courses at the cowshed
We are continuing to partner with Activate Learning in offering wonderful sewing courses at our Hurst office. Please join us and learn some new skills/develop existing ones and meet new friends!
WHO WE HELP
The Cowshed is a crisis charity that provides clothing and other items for individuals and families in Berkshire experiencing hardship. We offer our services to people from all faiths and none. We work in partnership with support services such as GPs, Health Visitors, Churches , charities and social service agencies who provide us with referrals.
Visit our shop
One of the easy ways you can help The Cowshed is to purchase some of our lovingly created crafts available in our shop. Click on the button below to see what’s in store!
There are a number of different ways that you can help us to help others;
DONATE
- Monday-Thursday open 10am-3pm
- Friday - CLOSED
- Saturday open 10am-1pm
We are unable to accept donations outside these hours.
Hurst do not take donations at any time 
The referral centres in Reading and Hurst operate 10-5pm Monday - Friday
fund
Financial donations are key to enabling us to continue providing our valued service;
- You can donate directly through our website thecowshed.org
- You can raise money by shopping online using Amazon Smile, Give as you Live or Easy Fundraising. We are registered with all three and any purchase you make online from an affiliated site will result in us getting a donation from the supplier at no cost to you. You simply need to register with the sites and nominate us as your chosen charity
- We would love you to fundraise on our behalf perhaps with a coffee morning, sponsored event or any other methods you can think of.
VOLUNTEER
We would love you to help with your time by volunteering at The Cowshed where we sort, wash and iron our donations. Or you could join our Craft Group making new items from old to support the main charity. There are also corporate volunteering opportunities please contact us at info@thecowshed.org for more details.
drop off location
All donations should be dropped off at our lovely distribution centre in Reading at Unit 2 Bennet Court, Bennet Road, RG2 0QX. The centre is open on Monday – Thursday 10am – 3pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm. Telephone 0118 931 3332.
SHOWING LOVE AND SUPPORT TO THOSE EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP IN BERKSHIRE
The Cowshed is a charity which provides support to people of all backgrounds in a time of personal crisis. The aim of The Cowshed is to provide good quality cleaned and ironed clothes and other essentials free to anyone in need.
PROM IS AROUND THE CORNER
Attending Prom or the Leavers Ball is an important and exciting event for 16 to 18-year olds. Outfits are often very expensive resulting in some students either not attending or their families potentially getting into debt. We provide a free Prom outfit lending service to any school age children whose families/carers are unable to purchase one for them. They will be able to come and borrow an outfit on a referral basis from their school/educational establishment, social worker, or other charities.
ARTS & CRAFTS @ THE COWSHED
Our Community Arts and Crafts group was set up primarily to recycle items that are unsuitable for passing on to our referrals. Get involved today.
BRAS @ THE COWSHED
Every woman deserves a bra that fits perfectly! The Cowshed will launch this very exciting initiative will soon. More information will follow soon.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION MAKES A DIFFERENCE
We are very grateful for any monetary donations made via the online donate button on your right. Alternatively our Amazon Smile account allows you to donate via our Amazon Wishlist. Simply click the Amazon Smile button. Thank you for your donations!
