Free school uniform scheme expands to meet record demand
Community
A recycling scheme that supports parents throughout South Cheshire with free school uniform items is doubling its capacity to cope with demand.
Her-Place Charitable Trust is staging pop up events at its new women’s centre in Crewe throughout the school summer holidays to reduce landfill and help families cut costs.
The new base, in the former Tui shop in the Victoria Centre, isn’t due to open officially until September but such is the demand for the scheme, officials have decided to open doors on Saturdays during the school break.
These will run alongside activities at the charity’s Community Share Hub on Beech Drive, Wistaston allowing it to increase capacity, utilise the large town centre space and meet growing demand.
Her-Place founder Kate Blakemore said: “We’ve seen demand for the school uniform exchange grow year after year, so being able to use our new women’s centre over the summer means we can help even more families ahead of the new school term.
“It’s a simple idea that makes a real difference – good quality uniforms stay out of landfill and go into the hands of children who need them, while parents can ease some of the financial pressure that comes with preparing for school.
“We’re delighted to be able to expand the scheme and continue supporting communities across South Cheshire.”
The scheme began life in 2019 as Crewe and Nantwich School Uniform Exchange.
It was a mission to reuse no longer needed school uniforms, coats and other items to reduce landfill.
“The environmental benefits are massive,” said mum-of-three Kate. “Over the years we have literally saved tonnes and tonnes of pre-loved and often hardly worn school uniform items from going to landfill.
“Last year a total of 1,370 items were given out – a new record – and we look set to exceed that once again this year as we face a deluge of enquiries from parents asking when they can collect items ahead of the new term.”
The new women’s centre, still being renovated, will host pick-up sessions when families can select what they need.
Over at the Community Share Hub volunteers are busy sorting rails of sweatshirts and polo tops bearing local school logos and there’s a mountain of grey school trousers, pleated skirts and coats of all colours and sizes.
Items can be dropped off or collected from the Hub which is also home to a Baby Bank offering like-new cots, prams and strollers and a Foot Locker stocking pre-loved football boots, shin pads and astro-turf trainers.
“Some can’t afford, some really want to be part of a green-minded, sustainable solution. Whatever their situation, it’s a no questions asked service,” added Kate.
Latest figures show the women and girls charity has touched the lives of local people in many ways over the past year.
It gave out 224 baby bundles, 32 filled moses baskets, 61 winter coats, 36 prom dresses and 135 free period products on top of its therapeutic activities and counselling services.
