School uniform exchanges across the borough

A number of school uniform exchanges are taking place across the borough, perfect for those whose children are starting a new school, moving up a year or have simply outgrown last year’s.

The uniform banks are collecting preloved uniforms for all schools in a bid to help families who may be struggling, as well as keeping last year’s uniform out of landfill.

There is an upcoming exchange in Heywood, plus an ongoing ‘social media swap’ in Middleton. Reuse Littleborough is also offering many school uniform items for as little as £1 per item.

Successful exchanges have already taken place in Falinge Park by Uniform for All and at Castleton Primary School.

The Heywood School Uniform Bank is a not-for-profit organisation set up due to the school uniform grant being scrapped which is operating from Back O’th Moss Community Centre.

Whilst it currently cannot accept any further donations due to full storage, an open day to pick up school uniform will be held at the community centre on Friday 20 August between 1pm-5pm.

Parents are asked to browse and take what is needed, as well as bringing a shopping bag. School uniforms include Heap Bridge, Holy Family, St Margaret’s, Woodland, Harwood Park and Hopwood Primary.

Organisers say: “After this date there will be limited availability for uniforms so please come down and pick-up a uniform while you still can.”

More information can be found via Facebook: www.facebook.com/The-Heywood-School-Uniform-Bank-107426094964644

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The Middleton School Uniform Swap aims to help families who don’t know what to do with a uniform which is no longer needed, and those who may find it financially stressful.

Parents have been posting their unwanted Middleton uniforms in the Facebook group, with interested parties commenting on each.

A preloved event took place on Friday 13 August at Alkrington Primary with a range of uniforms up for grabs, not just for Alkrington Primary.

The organisers said: “This is for Middleton schools. Whilst we do have things listed, we do not have as many families coming forward to request items at this point, so really want to get the word out.”

For more information and to take part, please visit: www.facebook.com/groups/134486262105445

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Reuse Littleborough has five rails of local school uniform for those who need a 'new' one, including shirts, shorts, skirts, polo shirts, jumpers and PE kits.

Founder Michael Bamford said: "We have five rails of local school uniform, helping families cope with the annual uniform shop.

"Bring in your outgrown ones and get a bigger size, some are big brands, lots are new, all are clean."

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Uniform for All has collected blazers, jumpers, shirts, cardigans, trousers, skirts, summer dresses, PE kits, shoes and coats for Spotland Primary, Meanwood, St Vincents, Caldershaw, Falinge Park and Oulder Hill. Donations can still be made at the Co-op on Cutgate precinct.

It held an exchange in Falinge Park earlier this month.
 

Read more: Uniform For All initiative helps families afford school uniformsPublished: 18 March 2021

Hundreds of items were collected from Castleton Primary School in a similar exchange, the second ‘reduce, reuse, recycle uniform’ event from its PTA. It hopes to run a comparable event each year.

Outgrown uniforms were donated via collection boxes at school with families able to pick up the uniform needed for free on 9 August.

The vast majority of over 300 items were collected, with the remainder given to the RSPCA in Rochdale.

The school’s PTA said: “It’s just a little way to say thank you to the families for supporting our other events throughout the year and hopefully save reusable items from going into landfill.”