The South Norfolk Council school uniform swap shops have been extended until 9 September following a remarkable community response, giving families more time to prepare for the new school year while cutting down on textile waste.
Organised by the councils’ recycling team, the swap shops at Wymondham Leisure Centre, Long Stratton Leisure Centre, Diss Swim Centre and Acle War Memorial Recreation Centre have rails filled with generous donations of school clothing, free for families to take.
Cllr Keith Kiddie, Cabinet Member for the Environment at South Norfolk Council, said: “We are delighted with the response from the local community. The rails are packed with clothes that are helping families get ready for the new school term. If you need a few things, then pay us a visit, save yourself some money and help the environment too.”
The initiative has already supported many households in easing the cost of getting children ready for September, while also ensuring that usable clothing does not go to waste.
Cllr Jan Davis, Cabinet Member for Environmental Excellence at Broadland District Council, added: “The generosity of our residents has been incredible. Hundreds of items have been donated so far, including school jumpers, shirts, trousers, skirts, PE kits, shoes and even ties!
“Extending the event gives even more families the chance to benefit while ensuring perfectly usable clothing gets a second life without going to waste.”
Families across the country are facing significant financial pressure when it comes to uniforms. Department for Education figures put the average cost at just over £340 for primary pupils and around £454 for those in secondary education.
While the government has introduced rules limiting the number of branded items schools can insist upon, aimed at saving some families over £50, charities and advisers warn that this alone does not bridge the gap.
Adam Rolfe, policy and public affairs officer at Money Wellness, said: “For many low-income households, even with such savings, uniforms will remain unaffordable without proper support.”
The organisation has called for a statutory grant to be introduced in England, similar to schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland where families on certain benefits can claim between £93 and £200 per child.
Money Wellness found that only 22 of 153 local education authorities in England offer a dedicated grant, with seven more providing help in exceptional circumstances such as fire or flooding. This patchwork of provision has been described as a “postcode lottery of support”.
As the summer break draws to a close, uniform banks are experiencing rising demand. Families from a wide range of backgrounds are turning to them as a lifeline, with rising household bills adding to the strain. With children quickly outgrowing clothing, the pressure of cost is felt in a wide range of households.
Against this backdrop, South Norfolk Council’s swap shops provide a local, practical solution. They are working to make clean, wearable items available to all families, with no need to book or register.
Anyone can browse the rails, pick up what they need, and donate clothing their children have outgrown. The approach both reduces costs for families and helps tackle waste, reflecting a growing shift towards community-driven solutions as national support remains inconsistent.
With rails still well stocked and donations continuing to arrive, the extended South Norfolk Council school uniform swap shops show how local action simultaneously eases pressure on families while contributing to sustainability. An excellent example of what can be achieved when communities and local government work together.
