Castle Quarter, in Norwich city centre, has announced it will be collecting pre-loved school uniform items on a permanent basis following the success of a campaign it launched last year.
Last year, Castle Quarter started collecting pre-loved items of school uniform from its visitors, with the clothing then given out to parents and carers needing replacement items for school-aged children.
Pop-up events were then held in the centre earlier this year, in January and February, with all 600 pre-loved pieces of uniform given out to local families, for free.
At the time, parents commented that the scheme really helped with alleviating the pressure of buying new pieces of school clothing. So much so that the team at Castle Quarter have decided to make it a permanent initiative.
“We haven’t had a school uniform pop-up in the city centre before! This is a fantastic idea.”
Now, school uniform donations can be dropped off at Castle Quarter all year round, and once enough items are collected, the centre will host another ‘Given in Kindness’ event in the summer holidays, where people can pick up pre-loved uniforms ready for the new school year.
Gemma Hyde, marketing and administration manager explains; “Our aim was to collect and give out good quality, pre-loved pieces of primary and secondary school uniform, easing the financial pressure of back-to-school shopping while also reducing the volume of clothing that ends up in landfill. We had more than 600 pieces donated last year, with everything redistributed at our events in January and February, benefiting lots of local families.”
School uniform costs can be a huge burden on parental finances, with the Schoolwear Association’s 2024 report stating that the average cost of compulsory uniform and sportswear stands at £92.35. This figure excludes essential but non-compulsory items such as shirts, shoes and jumpers. When these items are included, the total annual cost can rise to nearly £250 placing significant strain on household budgets.
Some of the visitors who 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; “School uniform is essential, but with household bills rising again, budgets are strained. We wanted to help alleviate some of the cost that comes with back to school shopping, by bringing back the Given in Kindness pop-up, but we need some help from our visitors.
“With so much good quality clothing already in circulation, it’s not always necessary to buy new clothes. Children quickly outgrow trousers, skirts, blazers and shirts, but these items have lots of life in them and can be used by others. With this initiative, we hope to ease some of the pressure of buying uniform while also redistributing good quality clothing which of course has an environmental benefit too.
“Whether it’s a full set of uniform or just a few items, we’re encouraging anyone with good quality, preloved school uniform to donate what they can. Our visitors gave this scheme their full support last year, and with their continued generosity, we hope to do it all again and give back to lots of local families.”
Simply bag up your school uniform donations and drop them off at the collection point (in White Lion Square, outside Boots on Level 1) or head to the Castle Quarter Management Office. Go to Superbowl UK and take the escalator or lift to Level 3. Open 9am – 5pm.
Once Castle Quarter collects enough items, it aims to host the next pop-up Given in Kindness event in August, where visitors will be able to collect a full set of pre-loved uniforms.
Check Castle Quarter’s website and Facebook page for announcements.
What can you donate?
School uniform clothing that is 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 and trousers.
Where can you donate?
Please place a small bag of uniform donations in the collection bin outside Boots, near the bottom of the spiral staircase, on the ground floor. Bigger donations can be dropped off at the Castle Quarter management office, on level 3 between 9am and 5pm, Monday – Friday.
To find the office, head to Superbowl UK and take the escalator or lift to Level 3.
When will the ‘given in kindness’ pop up take place?
Hopefully in August. Once enough uniform has been collected, the date of the ’given-in-kindness’ pop up will be announced in July.
