A new Harrogate charity has set up with the ambitious goal of breaking the stigma around second hand school clothes.
The Village Harrogate held its first ever “Uniform Swap Shop” this month where parents can pick up clothes for their children.
As well as taking new clothes, parents can also donate their children’s old school uniforms. The clothes are bundled up in bags and the volunteers all wear protective visors to keep families safe.
Jessica Price, the manager at The Village Harrogate, told the Stray Ferret that the charity has been inundated with requests:
“It was great to meet so many new people and start to build up a real community. The people who turned up were so happy that we had set up. Harrogate is such a lovely place but there are a lot of underlying issues that many people don’t recognise.”
Ms Price added that, in her own experience from raising four children, buying new uniform on a regular basis can add up to a lot of money.
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It comes after the Children’s Society 2020 report on school uniform found that parents were spending three times more than what they expected.
“The Wrong Blazer” report also highlighted how children wearing the wrong uniform can lead to bullying, isolation or exclusion.
The Village Harrogate, formerly known as Baby Basics, also runs a baby bank where new families in need can pick up starter packs. They are filled with nappies, clothes and wipes but the charity also has toys, cots and other equipment available.
Anyone who wants to get in touch with the charity with donations or requests can send an email by clicking here.
The “Uniform Swap Shop” will be held outside West Park United Reformed Church once a month. The organisers have not yet set up the October meeting but will post a date on their Facebook page.
