A school uniform swap shop set up by local councillors in response to rising costs has moved to Bewsey and Dallam Hub.
The swap shop was opened in 2019 by Bewsey and Whitecross Councillor, Sarah Hall, and local community champion Vicky Pickering.
Local cllrs. Steve Wright and Tom Jennings have also supported the project throughout, as has community activist Joan Birchall.
Sarah and Vicky opened the swap shop at Whitecross Community Centre in response to the rising costs of school uniforms and the increasing financial pressures local parents and carers were experiencing.
The uniform swap shop offers a range of donated items of school uniform – with branded items for schools in Bewsey and Whitecross ward, and non-branded items that can be used for schools across the town. Some items are used, some are new. All items are in good condition and all are available for free.
With the cost of living soaring, many are left struggling to find the money to feed their families and heat their homes. Finding the additional money for any items of school uniform even at ‘affordable’ prices, can still be a step too far.
From Saturday 5 March the Bewsey, Dallam and Whitecross Uniform Swap Shop is moving to its new home at the Bewsey and Dallam Hub. From then it will run on the first Saturday of each month from 10.30am-12pm.
Cllr. Sarah Hall said: “It’s been heartening to see how much backing there is for the uniform swap shop. We’re incredibly grateful to Torus Foundation for awarding the swap shop with a grant that will help us to continue on with our work. And, to the Central 6 Group which has been incredibly supportive.
“Being able to meet this need in the local community is an important way to help families facing financial pressure after two years of the pandemic and an increasingly deep cost of living crisis.”
