A unique shop – where all the school uniform is free – opens this Saturday… and it’s all thanks to the determination of one Golborne mum.
The Uniformity Project allows local families to get pre-loved uniform for their children, without worries about the cost. The shop, in Spinners Mill, Leigh, is stocked with recycled uniforms, all in excellent condition. There’s no charge for the uniform, and no questions asked.
As well as supporting families during the ongoing cost of living crisis, the Uniformity Project is also putting sustainability at its hearty, helping to reduce the number of uniforms going to landfill.
The Uniformity Project has come a long way in the past two years, when the idea came from Golborne mum, Kerry Bamber, during the summer of 2022. Realising that the cost of buying new uniforms for the new school term was a real worry for many people she knew, Kerry set up an appeal for local people to share old uniform that they no longer needed, so that it could be re-distributed.
The idea was that all uniform would be free, and with people able to place their orders online, there was no stigma attached and no questions asked.
The appeal returned the following year, with the backing of AIM Northwest, a domestic abuse charity which Kerry also helps to run. And with the cost of living continuing to rise, the decision was taken to open a permanent Uniformity Project shop, where parents can call in to choose the uniform they need.
Kerry said: “We are really excited that we are in a position to open a physical shop for the project as this means we can help more families than ever, across a wider area and support all year round.
“The work we have done over the last two years in Golborne and Lowton has been much needed and rewarding. We are incredibly greatful for the support of the community and schools in helping us achieve what we have.”
The Uniformity Shop being set up ahead of opening day.
She added: “We want to encourage the community to donate and recycle as much as possible, preventing as many uniforms as possible going to landfill as possible. Where we cannot recycle for uniform, we are going to be running some textile craft sessions for both adults and children to be as sustainable as possible. ”
When will the Uniformity free school uniform shop open?
The new Uniformity Project Shop will open on Floor 5 of Spinners Mill in Leigh at 10am on Saturday 28 July. It will stock recycled uniform from partnered schools in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Golborne, Lowton, Leigh, Tyldesley and Atherton.
Parents will be able to call into the shop as you would an average uniform shop, take what they need and go to the checkout… the only difference at the checkout the cost will be £0.00.
Uniform for the shop is being donated via local schools – so check with yours whether they have signed up to be involved yet.
To help fund the cost of the project, they will also accepting donations of clothing for children aged 3 – 16 that will be sold at 50p per item. However School Uniform will always remain free of charge.
The service will also provide support to help anyone who may need support to apply for benefits, debt management, help to manage bills/budgeting or to help identify other areas of financial assistance.
And, whatever your reason for using the shop – whether it’s financial or just because you want to support their recycling ethos – the Uniformity Shop is for you.
You can find out more on their Facebook page.
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