Ryde Town Council’s popular School Uniform Swap Shop is set to return this month, offering families the chance to pick up free school uniform ahead of the new academic year, while helping to reduce clothing waste.
The community initiative will be held at its new venue, Network Ryde, on St Thomas’s Street, with support once again provided by volunteers from Ryde Timebank.
The event proved a success last year, with more than 100 families attending. Organisers are now preparing for another busy month, encouraging residents to donate clean, good-quality school uniform items they no longer need.
Items such as jumpers, trousers, skirts, shirts, PE kits and school shoes can be donated, with families then able to browse the available stock and take home anything they need free of charge. There is no requirement to donate in order to receive items.
The initiative comes as many households continue to feel the impact of the rising cost of living, providing practical support while encouraging the reuse of clothing that still has plenty of life left and reducing textile waste.
The Swap Shop will also act as a collection point for clean, pre-loved soft toys, which will be donated to Ryde Carnival for use in its Teddy Tombola fundraising events throughout the summer.
The School Uniform Swap Shop will take place at Network Ryde, 50 St Thomas’s Street, Ryde, on the following dates:
- Friday 7th August – 10:00-13:30
- Saturday 8th August – 10:00-14:00
- Friday 14th August – 10:00-13:30
- Friday 21st August – 10:00-13:30
- Friday 28th August – 10:00-13:30
All donated items should be clean and in good condition. Everyone is welcome to attend, whether donating school uniform, looking for items for the new school year, or both.
