Helping asylum seekers, domestic abuse survivors – and cats: where do all the products the Filter tests end up?

The Filter's Unused Items: A Gift of Hope and Comfort

As Christmas approaches, many people are left with a glut of unwanted gifts from past years. But instead of letting them languish in storage, experts at The Filter have found creative ways to repurpose these items for good. From mattresses to air coolers, each product has been donated to a deserving charity.

At Scratch, a local hardship charity, Jane Hoskyn's mattress donation has provided comfort and a safe place to rest for families in need. Meanwhile, her heated airers are now being used by the Yellow Door domestic abuse refuge in Southampton, helping survivors of domestic abuse feel safe and cared for.

Jane's decision to donate also brought some personal joy – after losing a beloved pet in 2025, she adopted another, and donating cat supplies helped her celebrate this new chapter. The cats' well-being was ensured, thanks to the generous support of Farplace Animal Rescue.

A remarkable story from Scratch highlights the impact of these donations. One volunteer, J, took an artificial Christmas tree home with his six children, bringing joy and festive spirit to their lives. Such acts remind us that even small gestures can make a significant difference.

The Filter has also partnered with Furnishing Futures, a charity in east London that donates fully furnished homes to families who have experienced domestic abuse. Caramel Quin's air coolers, fans, and dehumidifiers are now helping to create safe living spaces for women and children.

In another heartwarming example, Pete Wise has been supporting Cat Action Trust 1977 with his leftover product samples. This small national charity rescues stray cats and provides them with a second chance at life. By donating these items, Pete is helping to care for the rescue cats until they find forever homes.

As we reflect on the impact of our own unwanted gifts, it's clear that even the smallest acts can bring hope and comfort to those who need it most. Consider donating your leftover Christmas gifts or adopting a cat from your local rescue this holiday season – you'll be making a difference in someone's life.

I'm so down for people doin' good with their old stuff! Did ya know 1 in 5 households in the UK has at least one item they haven't used since 2019? That's like, a whole lotta waste! But let's flip that script and look on the bright side – donating 2nd hand items can save charities £1.35 per item ! Meanwhile, 70% of people say they feel better about themselves when they give back to their community . Can we make a collective effort to reduce waste & boost kindness this Christmas season? Stats show 43% of Brits consider themselves 'fairly' or 'very' active in volunteering – let's get more peeps on board!

omg u guys i just love seein people makin use of old stuff instead of just throwin it away its like they're breathin new life into those products and the fact that its helping out people in need is just the best thing ever like pete wise dontin his product samples to cat action trust 1977 its like he's givin them a second chance at life

I gotta say, The Filter is doing some amazing stuff for charity! I mean, who needs all that old junk lying around when you can donate it to people who really need it? It's not about the gift itself, but about the impact it has on someone's life. Like, Jane Hoskyn donating her mattress to Scratch – that's just so cool, especially since she got a new furry friend out of it too . And can you imagine having an artificial Christmas tree with six little kids running around? It's like they're spreading holiday cheer all over town! The Filter is really showing us what kindness and generosity are all about . I'm definitely gonna keep using their services, no question

idk why people donate old stuff but its def good 4 them ... i mean like janes mattress is now helping people at scratch who need 2 rest & stuff, thats so nice... & caramels air coolers r helping women n kids @ furnishing futures... thats just the best thing

just think about all these people dont get proper rest coz they cant afford mattress but now some random person Jane Hoskyn donated hers 2 charity its like small gestures add up & can make huge diff and u know what better than that? someone finds new pet & gets to care for it again

I'm like, totally on board with people donating their old stuff, but only if they get something super cool out of it... I mean, like, Jane Hoskyn gets to adopt another pet after losing hers, that's amazing! But at the same time, what if she doesn't? What if it's just a good deed and not really benefiting her directly? And don't even get me started on volunteers taking old Christmas trees home for their kids... I mean, isn't that just going to create more clutter or something?

On the other hand, charities like Furnishing Futures are literally changing lives by providing safe homes for families in need. And Cat Action Trust is doing amazing work rescuing stray cats and giving them a second chance at life... but what about all the poor cats who can't even get adopted because there just aren't enough fosters or forever homes? I guess it's a good thing that Pete Wise is donating product samples, but what if they're not even needed by the charity?

I don't know, maybe I'm just overthinking this whole Christmas donation thing... but it feels like we need to be more critical about who's getting these gifts and how they're being used.

I'm so down for this! Donating unwanted gifts is like giving the ultimate gift of kindness, ya know? I mean, think about it - Jane Hoskyn's mattress donation alone has given families a safe place to rest, and that's just amazing . And let's not forget about Pete Wise's leftover product samples going towards rescuing stray cats ... that's just purr-fect ! What I love most about this is how it encourages us to think outside the box (or gift wrap ) and find new ways to make a difference. It's all about spreading love and kindness, one unwanted gift at a time .