On Friday, an enthusiastic community event debuted at Peterborough’s Queensgate shopping centre. It provided essential assistance to families who were finding it hard to afford new school uniforms. With summer holidays beginning in earnest, many parents are already thinking about fall. They’re already thinking about the next school year, so this event will be especially timely.
Jessica Harper, a Sandy Hook and mother-of-two who attended the event, said that she was really impressed by the initiative. She emphasized that it “could really help families that are struggling” during a time when expenses are high. Harper noted that the event represented “the perfect opportunity to reuse clothes that still have a lot of life left in them,” allowing parents to save money while still providing for their children’s needs.
Cristina Fernandez-Hierro is recycling education coordinator at Peterborough City Council, UK. She highlighted the concept of “upcycling” as an essential focus of the event’s overall mission. She shared how this initiative is not only helping families save money, but teaching their children about environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Fernandez-Hierro stated, “I think if people think they’re not just getting something for free but helping the environment then they will feel proud about it.” This line really struck a chord with many at the event, who strongly felt both the economic opportunity and ecological benefit.
Among the participants was Layla, a rising 5 th grader, who came with her mom, Sandra. Layla shared her excitement about finding uniforms that fit well, saying, “Seeing if it fits, and seeing if you’re comfortable enough, means [that when] we go to school, we will look incredible and smart.”
Sandra wrote about the financial burden of getting kids ready to go back to school. She remarked, “It’s really expensive when you need to buy everything with the school uniform, so it’s a great support when we can find a blazer or a PE kit for a different school.“
Danielle Daboh, who spoke on behalf of the event’s organizers, focused on why the event mattered. As she described it, the whole point was to reduce pressure on families amid the arrival of back-to-school season. She noted, “The event is championing reusing school uniform and helping to alleviate the stress for families during the back-to-school period.” Like Daboh, many other speakers addressed the possibility of more events like this to come, underscoring the economic opportunity and environmental justice they can provide.
