A popular school uniform initiative, which allows parents and carers to collect pre-loved pieces of clothing for free, is returning to Norwich for one day this October half term.

Since last summer, the team at Castle Quarter have been asking people to donate pre-loved pieces of school uniform in a bid to redistribute items to local families, helping to ease the financial burden of school uniform shopping. 

Now it’s been revealed that since launching the scheme, more than 2,100 pre-loved pieces of uniform clothing have been given out to parents and carers of school-aged children, with a goal of redistributing 2,500 items, including blazers, shoes, jumpers, shirts and skirts, by the end of the year.  

For those wanting to collect pre-loved pieces for their children, Castle Quarter will be hosting its next ‘Given in Kindness’ event on Tuesday 28^th October.  

On the day, between 9am and 4pm, perfectly good pieces of school uniform will be handed on to new owners, preventing clothing from going to landfill and easing the cost of having to buy new every time a child has a growth spurt, when a jumper mysteriously never makes it home or when knees start to appear through trousers.  

“It’s heartwarming to see that level of kindness”

Earlier events held at Castle Quarter were welcomed by parents from the local community, with many saying how it helped to reduce the pressure of buying new. Because it has proven so popular, the team at Castle Quarter decided to make the school uniform collection a permanent initiative.  

Gemma Hyde, marketing and administration manager at the centre, who has led the project, continues to take in bags of pre-loved clothing, checking the quality and getting them ready for the next event. As long as stock levels remain high, and the need is there, Gemma plans to host more events throughout the school year. 

She says, “This is all about local people supporting local families; passing on uniforms and ensuring items that are good as new can be worn and loved by someone else. 

“We’ve had generous donations of brand-new pieces, and one lady dropped off an entire bag of Clarks shoes. It’s heartwarming to see that level of kindness, and to know that so many people want to help. Because we’re in the city centre, we’re an ideal, easy location for people to drop-off and pick up.

“We’re looking forward to seeing more people at our Tuesday event during October half-term, when families can collect one full set of uniform per child.”

Some of the people who already picked up free pre-loved clothing earlier this year said:

⭐ “School uniforms are so expensive, and this pop-up has really helped us. Thank you, to the team at Castle Quarter!”

⭐“This wonderful community project has been made possible thanks to the generous donations from our community. It has helped my family and many others. Thank you!”

⭐“Wow! This is overwhelming. You have so many donated items, and the school uniform items are new too. Thank you! “

⭐“We haven’t had a school uniform pop-up in the city centre before! This is a fantastic idea. Please host this again; it is much needed in the city centre!”

Gemma adds, “We want to keep this going, because there’s a real local need.  And, it has an environmental benefit too, of course. But we need a regular flow of donations to continue it.  If you’re a Norwich parent of a school-aged child and have uniform they no longer wear or doesn’t fit, please donate.”

TO DONATE

Drop off bags of pre-loved school uniform donations at the Castle Quarter Management Office. Go to Superbowl UK and take the escalator or lift to Level 3. Open 9am – 4pm. 

School uniform clothing must be plain or branded, and in any colour. Items must be washed and be in good, wearable condition, with all name tags removed if possible. Including:  Blazers | cardigans | jumpers | PE kits | polo shirts | shorts | shoes | skirts | pinafores | summer dresses | trousers.

TO COLLECT

Go to Castle Quarter’s ‘Given in Kindness event’ on Tuesday 28^th October.  

Visit the Centre Management Office, Level 3, Castle Quarter, between 9am and 4pm. 

No need to pre-book, just turn up. 

One set of pre-loved school uniform per child. (While stocks last). 

Check Castle Quarter’s website and Facebook page for announcements.