What's in a starter pack?

An Emergency Home Starter Pack is not a random box of donations. Teams at Merrick House on the Crichton Estate assemble packs to match household size and what referral partners say is needed.

Kitchen and living

Expect the unglamorous basics that make a flat function: kettle, cookware, plates, mugs, cutlery, and often small items like a tin opener or sharp knife—things you only notice when they are missing.

Bedding and comfort

Clean bedding, pillows, and blankets appropriate to the number of people moving in. For families, that can mean multiple sets in one delivery window, because children cannot wait a fortnight for a proper bed to feel like theirs.

Hygiene and cleaning

Soap, shampoo, toilet rolls, cleaning cloths, and similar items. When money is tight, these are often the first things dropped from a shopping list—even though they matter for dignity and health.

Why it is never “one size fits all”

Partner agencies submit referrals through the agreed system—councils, housing associations, health teams, and charities. Some households need more bedding; others arrive with a bed frame but no linens. SHAX adjusts where stock allows.

Packs are completely free to clients. The pressure is on fundraising: each pack is a real bill for pots, pans, and bedding bought new or sourced through the reuse network. Read why costs matter, or visit shax.org.uk for programme detail on the main charity site.

Want to fund a specific slice of a pack? Our give page explains what typical amounts cover—and how to call with Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer.