There are only 4 weeks to go until the start of the school term, so you’ve probably started to think about uniforms for next year. Does last year’s uniform no longer fit, or is your little one off to a new school? Well, did you know that you can donate unwanted uniforms, and pick up secondhand, preloved school uniforms (including shoes, coats, backpacks and PE kits) for free in Birmingham?
Rubery Swop Shop accepts donations of school uniforms, that they then assess, wash and repair, and distribute to families in Birmingham free of charge. The wonderful work that this charity does means that young people in Birmingham (and the surrounding areas) can access their right to education, regardless of the uniform required. In 2023 alone nearly 24 thousand items of school uniform were reused!
This also means that fewer school uniforms go to waste, ending up in landfill prematurely. They also sell any unusable items (i.e. scrap) to a company who processes them.
Absolutely anyone is welcome to donate and use preloved clothing from the Swop Shop (i.e. it isn’t dependent on financial circumstances), and you don’t need to make a donation in order to request items you need.
Head to their shop (224 New Road, Rubery, Birmingham B45 9JH) or check out their website to find out more (www.ruberyswopshop.co.uk).