Hornsea’s Great Big Hornsea Uniform Swap took place on Saturday, outside and on the return of East Riding Leisure Hornsea’s seafront promenade. It brought in a record breaking attendance, so much so that they needed to find a new location larger than last year’s! Natalie Wilson, a teaching assistant at Hornsea Community School, coordinated the event. Its aim was to support families in the community by providing a space for them to buy, sell, or swap pre-loved school uniforms.
This past year, in 2024, the parish hall was the site of the uniform swap. The terrific, record-breaking demand this year made us look for a larger venue. The demonstration illustrated the extreme costs associated with school uniforms. With the average cost for a primary school student well over £340 and the cost for secondary students even more at an average of £454.
Emma Watts, who joined the event, said she was grateful for the financial relief as she awaits her first paycheck. She stated, “This event is so helpful while I’m in between jobs.”
Families were given custom uniforms at no charge during the Hornsea event. This project enabled them to obtain these necessary items while incurring no additional expense. Claire Potter, a second time attendee, commented on the importance of the moment to the event, calling it “invaluable.” She emphasized the importance of recycling, stating, “To recycle is far better for the planet.”
Natalie Wilson from Toilet Trouble explained that this initiative is about more than just saving money. She emphasized that “We’ve made it a big thing that it is about saving the environment rather than a financial thing.” Her commitment to sustainability resonated with many participants, including Sarah Hyde, who questioned, “What will happen to all this uniform otherwise?”
1 Affordable School Uniforms The need for low-cost school uniforms is higher than ever. Families can barely afford other essentials like school jumpers, which can set parents back £35 per jumper. Participants at the swap were very thankful for the chance to get uniforms that still have a lot of value.
I’d rather it was getting reused because a lot of it’s got a lot of life left in it, Wilson snapped, underscoring her conviction of why sustainability matters.
