In August, Oakham Baptist Church and Rutland Clothing Bank will be hosting a school uniform swap where you can bag some pre-loved items for the upcoming school year for free.

This will be the Clothing Bank's first ever school uniform swap and is a new challenge for the community-led venture.

Oakham Clothing Bank was set up in late 2020 by Rutlanders Helen Wolstenholme and Mandy Black, and has jumped from strength to strength, earning a reputation for helping source school uniform, winter jackets, shoes, and much more to those in need in the local area. The team have also worked hard providing clothes for Ukrainian refugees over the past year. 

For their next project, the Clothing Bank has teamed up with Oakham Baptist Church to help reduce waste and source school uniforms for families across the county ahead of the new school year in September.

A school uniform swap will take place in Oakham in August. Image credit: Rutland Clothing Bank / Oakham Baptist Church.

Residents have already begun dropping old school uniforms off with the team at Oakham Baptist Church, who have been laundering and prepping the uniform for the upcoming swap event.

Uniform is being accepted for only a few more days, so drop old garments at Oakham Baptist Church if you have any going spare.

Alternatively, head to the event on 12 August, when the team will have clothes rails with uniform ready to take and an opportunity to have a cuppa and natter too.

This isn't only a great way to safe money ahead of the new school year, but also to prevent clothing waste and do our bit for the planet.

The team said: "We've had a tremendous response to our forthcoming uniform swap event on Saturday 12 August, which will very kindly be hosted by the wonderful Oakham Baptist Church.

"We have had a team of volunteers helping prepare for the big day, so a huge thank you to you all - this event wouldn't be possible without you, you're all superstars!

"See you all on the 12 August 2023."

Head to the uniform swap at Oakham Baptist Church, Oakham, Rutland, this August. Image credit: Rutland Clothing Bank.

Follow the team on Facebook for more updates and information on how you can get involved with Rutland Clothing Bank.