Darlington Cares uniform shop helps 4,000 families in 1 year

Darlington Cares free uniform swap shop has seen demand for clothes double in just two years, giving uniforms to 4,073 families in the academic year 2022-23 which equates to 10,905 items. 

This has nearly doubled from 2021-2022, where 2,645 families were helped with 9,007 items of uniform.

Located in Queen Street Shopping Centre, a team of 11 volunteers accept donations of school uniforms for primary and secondary schools across Darlington and also give families the opportunity to exchange for bigger sizes.

Read more: High Bank Nursery in Stapleton sold to Kids Planet

Volunteers Karen Lynn and Dawn Weir. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The shop is funded and supported by Darlington Borough Council, with every donation laundered by In a Spin in North Road.

Karen Lynn and Dawn Weir are just two of the volunteers who keep the shop running from Monday to Friday, as well as operating on weekends in the summer holidays to cope with demand.

They said some stories volunteers hear are "heart-breaking" and "heart-warming" at the same time.

"We have a whole range of people who come here - it's not just one type of person that we see", Karen said.

"Some people have come in and admitted that they don't know how they would have survived if it not for this service."

Dawn said: "We had a gentleman come in just before Christmas whose English was not very good. He recently came here and had a list of uniforms he needed for his child.

Darlington Cares shop at Queen Street Shopping Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

"He started panicking and talking about money, so we reassured him that it was free. Once we did that, he started to cry. If we can help, and we have it, we will give it to you.

"He came back with a packet of biscuits to thank us."

According to The Schoolwear Association, the average cost of compulsory school uniform including P.E. kits in England is £96.24 per pupil. 

Karen and Dawn believe the cost is putting pressure on families.

Darlington Cares shop at Queen Street Shopping Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Karen said: "For some shirts, they cost £15. Blazers can cost £50. Then when you look at the price of groceries, it's crazy."

Dawn added: "The poverty you see now, it's hard. We have sat after we heard some of the stories and thought of how upsetting it all is. I think if I had the money in my purse I would step in."

Now, as the weather only starts to get colder, the shop is expecting to see an increase in demand.

They are preparing to hand out hand-knitted gloves as well as thick winter coats as part of their winterwear drive.

Darlington Cares shop at Queen Street Shopping Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Angela Herbert, from Darlington, donated some items to the shop on Wednesday and spoke of how the centre has helped the local community.

She said: "I heard about the shop on social media, I saw it on my Facebook page. I think it's brilliant as sometimes you feel like you need to buy for the sake of buying when I can come here and get things second hand.

"Uniform is expensive, you often don't realise."

Any donations at the store that are deemed unsuitable or can't be used in the shop are donated either to the Great North Air Ambulance or another charity shop.

Darlington Cares shop at Queen Street Shopping Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Despite the positive impact their work is having, both Karen and Dawn believe that in the current climate and as we head into winter, facilities like the uniform shop will continue to be needed by the community.

"I think it's just going to get worse, and it's a horrible thing to have to say", Dawn said.

Karen added: "We used to volunteer for a food charity on an afternoon and you would see the same faces of people who had been here for uniform and then go and pick up food on the same day. 

"I don't think there's an end in sight."

Volunteers for Karen Lynn and Dawn Weir. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

In response to the work of volunteers at the shop Dr Amanda Riley, cabinet member for safer communities has praised the initiative.

"The uniform exchange provides a valuable service", she said.

"Not only does it allow people to pick up good quality uniforms for free but it also benefits the environment as, rather than buying new, parents and carers can get pre-loved items for free. This means old uniform is recycled and avoids landfill.

"I would urge everyone to donate their old uniform and pop along to the shop if there is anything their child needs. As the weather changes, Darlington Cares is particularly looking for winter coats, hats and gloves and walking boots and wellies."

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MP for Darlington, Peter Gibson, recently visited the shop and spoke to volunteers about the work being done there.

He said: "The uniform shop is just a fantastic facility that is being used extensively by the community. It's helping ensure that children can show up to school looking smart, presentable and in their school uniform.

"Whilst I was there, I saw families dropping pieces off that their children and others were dropping in with no shame or embarrassment and asking for something for their child. It was great to see."

To donate any items to the store, either place them into donation bins in the Cornmill Centre, outside the shop or hand over the items to members of staff during opening hours.