Thread by @Take1_Leave1

1/. As freezing temperatures hit, we put a clothes rail outside a church with a sign:

IF YOU'RE COLD, TAKE ONE

IF YOU CAN HELP, LEAVE ONE

What happened next was miraculous

The rail filled with warm clothes

Rough sleepers helped themselves

The rail was replenished every day

2/. We'd asked the church & surrounding shops permission to keep the rail there for 2 weeks to see how it went

It ended up staying for 4 months & returned each winter...& the idea spread

#TakeOneLeaveOne rails popped up around the UK, US, Canada & beyond
metro.co.uk/2019/02/07/kin…

3/. The idea for a #TakeOneLeaveOne in the UK came in 2018 from a Tweet by a woman who'd set up a rail outside her taco store in Texas

She'd got the idea after seeing a similar concept in Mexico

It shows the power of an idea

A simple idea that is both needed & "sticky". #TOLO

https://twitter.com/take1_leave1/status/1232803865503895553

4/. Now in it's 3rd winter, #TakeOneLeaveOne is needed now more than ever

778 rough sleepers died on UK streets in 2019 & #COVID19 has increased hardship

This THREAD👇shows how it set up a rail where you are

You can order a banner (now only £20) from [e-mail]

https://twitter.com/take1_leave1/status/1338609037664014337

5/. Over the summer & lockdown, many #TakeOneLeaveOne sites became impromptu food banks, with the “cold” on the banner replaced with “hungry”

Last winter we set up a pledge card system. We’d like to turn it into an app to buy drinks/food for those in need

6/. We launched again last month with music from @ilanalorraine, speeches & even celebrity twitter support (including @BoyGeorge)

The song says: “I could offer you a warm embrace to make you feel my love”

All #TOLO can do is “offer a warm embrace”

What is needed is govt action

7/. In the last month, rails have popped up from Portsmouth to Manchester, London to @ToloNewcastle

Today was the 1st day for the #TakeOneLeaveOne rail in Bexley Heath & the 2nd weekend for @Peckham

#TOLO Finchley Rd starts tmw,
@ToloVauxhall on Mon & also Epsom & Finsbury Park

8/. “The idea is very simple

If you’re cold or in need for any reason, head to your nearest #TakeOneLeaveOne rail & help yourself to some warm clothes

If you can help, donate some warm clothes or why not set up a #TOLO rail where you are?”

@MrSaf who set up a rail in Peckham

9/. To set up a #TakeOneLeaveOne rail:

1. Get a rail

2. Find good location

3. Get👍from locals

4. Make/order a sign (£2)

5. Hang clothes

6/. Make it #COVID safe

7/. Contact local paper

8/. Set up a TOLO Twitter/Insta

We’ll promote to help you get volunteers, clothes etc.

10/. With temperatures set to fall to -10° this week & snow forecast, imagine what it's like not to have proper warm clothes

Please get involved & help spread the word

We’d also love help with our website & you can buy forward a banner for £20 (email👆).
bigissue.com/latest/take-on…