A UNIFORM exchange run by Shipley Salvation Army provided clothing to more than 500 children last year — and the charity expects demand to continue rising in 2026.
More than 4,500 items were handed out through the standalone Uniform Hub on Westgate during 2025, helping families manage the cost of school clothing while preventing usable items from being sent to landfill.
The service has grown sharply in recent years. In 2023, it distributed around 1,350 items, compared with about 4,500 last year.
Dawn Coleman, community assistant and leader of Shipley Salvation Army’s Uniform Exchange, said increased household costs had made school uniform difficult for many families to afford.
She said: “There are many reasons for this, including the fact that costs for families have continued to rise, and if you have to buy uniform for more than one child it can run into the hundreds of pounds.
“There’s also increased awareness of what we do at the hub and less stigma in wearing pre-loved items, which is really important. We want children to be able to go to school in good quality uniform, ready to learn and not self-conscious about what they’re wearing.”
Shipley Salvation Army Uniform Hub
(Image: Supplied)
The hub supports families who visit directly, as well as those referred by schools, social services and healthcare workers. It is open to everybody and no referral is needed.
While annual figures for 2026 are not yet available, early indications suggest demand is increasing. The project served 106 families during April and May, compared with 69 in the same period last year. Since April, it has supported nearly 300 families.
The Salvation Army has welcomed the Government’s pledge to reduce the number of branded uniform items parents must buy, due to come into force in September. However, Dawn said many families would still need support with the remaining costs.
She added: “We welcome the Government’s pledge to reduce the amount of branded uniform people have to buy for their kids, however many people will still struggle to afford this and will be relying on uniform exchanges.
“We can see from the numbers coming to us that the need is there and we don’t anticipate that will fall anytime soon.”
Shipley Salvation Army Uniform Hub
(Image: Supplied)
The exchange also offers more than clothing, with regular visitors able to have a chat, access advice and be signposted to other support and activities run by Shipley Salvation Army.
Donations from local people and schools, alongside volunteers who sort, wash and distribute clothing, are central to the project’s work. The hub opens two or three days each week, including a monthly Saturday session and longer summer-term hours. It has also worked with Living Well Bradford during the school holidays, providing uniform and children’s books.