Starting from scratch

AndyCF

Just thought if 'storage space' is a problem for anything then a couple of those plastic boxs with lids (various sizes) perhaps a couple of small ones as you get the "3 pack" for about £1 or so and maybe a large one (the ones about 30cm to 60cm) too for other things.

Are things like cooking appliances needed ?

NewShadow

Thank you all.

All brilliant suggestions and brilliant to see what we all consider our 'essentials'.

As beautiful_ravens has suggested, this is more of an 'immediate box' than a 'everything possible' box so I'm going to be whittling your suggestions down a little based on what I know about my friend and what she likes.

Things like she's not a baker or OS cook from scratch type - laughably not - so I'll probably bake a cake/cookies for her to take rather than sending flour

And, hopefully, she's going to be somewhere close - so I can suggest we can cook a meal together a couple of times a week until she's settled/starts to make friends in the area.

Until she starts looking around she won't know if she's going to be in a place with a bath or shower and won't know what's in the kitchen/needed in the way of furniture/appliances so some of this stuff is going to depend on where she ends up.

Quite a few things that have been suggested are things I've naturally got a few of in my personal store cupboard - meaning I wouldn't be buying them specially - and completely agree that while she's here we'll need to take advantage of the many, many charity shops in the vicinity - and while doing that the many, many little coffee shops - retail therapy is a recognised therapeutic technique after all... :cool:.

I very much doubt he is going to cause trouble - She's relocating from North Wales, so 150 odd miles and he has no idea where I live never mind where she might end up.

We met up when she was at the same funeral as I was last week and she looked - well, awful - not that anyone looks amazing at a funeral...

I'm sure he isn't the only one at fault and, AFAIK, he's never physically threatened her but even when we were just having a coffee I was watching him constantly undermine her - just a nasty thing to see, never mind live with.

Still - she'll soon be out of that environment and will spend at least a little while having the cats 'forcibly affection' her - again, recognised therapeutic technique :rotfl:

culpepper

When I saw this, I thought of when the kids were students and what they found handy...Could you make a list of key places in the area? Eg Doctors,Dentists,CAB ,job centre ,Library ,adult ed and useful shops local supermarkets, chemists...Then she can get herself organised a bit and not feel she is leaning on you too hard .. .

JennyP

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Stock cubes and some herbs and spices and an 'economy recipes' cookery book to help keep costs down until your friend finds their 'feet' again. Jam, honey, marmalade (any of these) packet of sugar, pack of S/R flour, stork margarine for cakes. Possibly tins of fruit as a treat.

Those Miguel Barclay meals for a pound cookbooks are lovely. Just bought one new for £4 on Amazon. I like the layout - lovely big pictures - and the recipes are a for one portion!

I am excited for your friend. Leaving an unhealthy relationship takes lots of courage but it's great when you make a new start! Just got remarried 13 years after leaving my first very unhappy marriage!