Shipley Uniform Hub extend hours after demand almost triples

A Salvation Army hub which offers school uniforms on a pay as you can afford basis is expanding its opening hours due to demand after supporting 400 families in 2023. 

Shipley Salvation Army’s School Uniform Support, which has a hub in Westgate in the town, provides uniforms for around 40 local schools as well as non-logo items, coats, stationary, sanitary products and football boots. It gave out 1,600 items last year.

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 will also be open through the school holidays with times to be confirmed.

Community Assistant Dawn Coleman, who runs the Hub, said: “We are entering our seventh year of running the uniform exchange this summer and it continues to grow year on year. In 2023, we gave out 1,600 items of uniform, helped more than 400 families and saved over 320kg of textiles from going to landfill. It has grown massively in the past year if you compare it to the year before when we helped 150 families. 

“School uniforms can be really expensive, especially for families that have more than one child at school. Kids are growing all the time so what fits them one term might not by the next. To have a good quality uniform that fits well provides dignity to children and gives them the confidence they need to go to school and learn. 

“It’s not just about saving money however, a lot of people who are coming to us are environmentally conscious and keen to reduce the amount going to landfill.

“People may choose to use us for financial or environmental reasons - we will not ask any questions, but are always available for a chat.” 

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.

Captain Laura McLean, who leads Shipley Salvation Army, said: “It’s a major part of the support The Salvation Army offers to the community in Shipley and beyond. To see how many families it has helped over the years is fantastic. It’s become an essential resource for so many in Shipley. 

“We couldn’t do it without dedicated volunteers giving up their time, as well as the generous public who continue to donate uniforms and other items to us. Thank you to Dawn and all of the volunteers for their hard work and dedication. It’s down to them that we are able to operate from a standalone hub in the town centre.” 

There are a number of donation points including Baildon Library, The activity Den, Shipley, Bingley library, Windhill Community Centre, Shipley Library, Wiggles Play Centre and café, St Pauls Church, Shipley, St Cuthberts, Wrose and Shipley Salvation Army in Rhodes Place. Please contact them directly before dropping off your donation. 

The next Saturday opening is 13 July. Uniforms for the September term are also available now. Holiday opening times will be available on their Facebook page where you can also find a list of schools they provide logo items for. 

Shipley Salvation Army offers a range of activities including Sunday Worship, Little Lambs toddler group, Brass Band and coffee mornings.