The Uniform Hub has opened in a new unit in Southport town centre as it continues to provide pre-loved school uniforms for families either for free or in return for small donations.
The vital service was started by local mum Nicola Alcock as Free Uniforms for Southport Schools (FUSS) in 2010 to redistribute second-hand school uniform items to anyone who needs them.
Now known as The Uniform Hub, the facility provides items of school uniform for children of all ages attending both primary schools and secondary schools across Southport.
Items for boys and girls can include school blazers, jumpers, skirts, dresses, shirts, PE kits and more.
After Nicola started the facility seven years ago, it grew in popularity so much that she has since teamed up with local charity Compassion Acts to ensure it can continue to thrive.
Families can find the Uniform Hub inside a new unit inside Cambridge Walks in Southport town centre, in the arcade between Lord Street and Chapel Street.
Local businesses and local people are being invited to provide sponsorship to help keep the Uniform hub going after local mum Serena Silcock-Prince started the ball rolling with a personal donation of £200 for April. If anyone else is interested is sponsoring the Uniform Hub for a month – or longer – they are invited to email Richard Owens from Compassion Acts via email at: hello@compassionacts.uk
The Uniform Hub is open between 11am and 2pm every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
People can come and take whatever items they need for their children.
People are welcome to leave donations if they wish, whether they’re collecting items, or just keen to support the initiative.
Outside of the regular opening hours, various items are left on railings outside the premises, which people are welcome to help themselves to.
Nicola said: “After I started FUSS, the demand quickly became so big that it got to a point where I could no longer do it all on my own.
“Through working with Compassion Acts we have been able to develop what we offer and to move into this new unit in Cambridge Walks.
“It’s in a perfect location, right in the middle of Southport so handy for anything calling into town for anything else, but at the same time it’s in a quiet location too.
“You don’t need to be referred to us; you don’t need to be in receipt of free school meals; this service is for everyone who needs it. Anyone can call in.
“People have been very kind with donations. We are very well stocked with a variety of clothing items from schools around Southport.
“Occasionally there may be something specific we appeal for, please keep checking out social media pages for details.
“We only want to give out good quality school clothing.
“School uniforms can be expensive for families, especially for those with things such as school blazers or PE outfits, and especially when you have more than one child.
“Sometimes children grow so fast too!
“Sustainability is so important, and it’s great for the environment to be able to re-use items of school uniform.”
Serena Silcock-Prince said: “I am proud to be able to sponsor the Uniform Hub for their first month in their new unit.
“I am doing this personally, as a Mum. It would be great if other people or businesses locally could get in touch and support the Uniform Hub for the months ahead.
“I just think it is a really wonderful initiative. I am so impressed with what they do to support families in Southport.
“The Uniform Hub takes pressure off families when they need it, which is a great thing.
“I also want to support sustainability, and this is an excellent way of doing that. There’s no need to be throwing pre-loved school uniforms into landfill when they can go towards other children who may enjoy real use out of them.”
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