Shipley Salvation Army Uniform Hub honoured at awards

A Salvation Army community worker has been recognised for her dedication to ensuring refugee children have quality school uniforms.

Dawn Coleman, who as a volunteer spearheaded the Shipley Area School Uniform Support at Shipley Salvation Army, received the ‘Above and Beyond’ award at the Bradford Sanctuary Seekers Education Awards, which recognise good practice and provision in supporting refugees and people seeking asylum. The awards event was held at Valley Parade, Bradford City’s home ground. 

Community Assistant Dawn was honoured for the work she does with Bradford Council Access Team, which supports asylum seeking and refugee families to access education, to make sure children have access to uniforms and feel a sense of belonging in their school.

Shipley Area School Uniform Support has a standalone hub in Westgate in the town, offering school uniforms on a pay as you can afford basis. In 2023 it supported 400 families, provided uniforms for around 40 local schools as well as non-logo items, coats, stationary, sanitary products and football boots. 

Dawn said: “Laura and I felt privileged to be part of such a thoughtful awards ceremony which celebrated children and schools for their achievements in welcoming refugees and making Bradford a safe place for them. 

“The event itself was fantastic with a delicious meal and entertainment from a break-dancing crew, poets and singers. The stories shared were both inspiring and challenging, with one speaker who had been through modern day slavery in the UK now working as a qualified nurse.

“We are so pleased to be able to play our part in providing quality school uniforms for children who have fled conflict and are settling in the UK. Many families will have arrived with nothing and once here have to settle into a new school in a new environment speaking a new language. For us to be able to ease the pressure for them by providing uniforms ensuring they can go to school with a bit more confidence is vital.” 

Captain Laura McLean, who leads Shipley Salvation Army, said: “The Salvation Army has a long history of supporting people who have fled conflict and persecution. In Shipley, we are really pleased to be able to play our own part in helping to support vulnerable families in this way and contribute to Bradford as a City of Sanctuary. 

“I am delighted that Dawn has been recognised. She has led a team of volunteers to build the Shipley Uniform Exchange into what it is today supporting hundreds of families to have access to high quality uniforms ensuring children go to school with dignity and confidence.” 

The hub is open in term time on Mondays between 9.30am and 2.30pm and Fridays between 9.30am and 2.30pm and is now open every second Saturday in the month between 10am and 2pm. It is also open through the school holidays with times available on the Shipley Area School Uniform Facebook page 

People are able to drop into the Hub during opening hours to pick up items and make a cash donation if they can afford to. There is no minimum payment required, referral or paperwork needed so it is accessible to everyone.

Shipley Salvation Army also offers a range of activities including Sunday Worship, Little Lambs toddler group, Brass Band and coffee mornings from its church in Rhodes Place.