A community Swap Shop in Catterick Garrison is helping families cut the cost of getting children ready to return to school.
The facility at Bramble Woods, on Smuts Road, is run by e50K CIC and allows people to take what they need, donate unwanted items or swap them for something else.
Although the Swap Shop operates throughout the year, there will be a particular focus on school uniforms and supplies over the coming weeks.
Organisers hope the scheme will help parents facing the expense of preparing children for the new academic year while also preventing good-quality clothing and other items from going to waste.
The initiative is seen as particularly useful in Catterick Garrison due to the number of military families who regularly move into and out of the area following new postings.
Bramble Woods site manager Amy Manuel said: “In our busy Garrison, families may only be here for a few terms before another posting — meaning another school and a new school uniform.
“Moving your family and settling children somewhere can already be a stressful and expensive time, so if the Swap Shop can make even one part of that transition a little easier, then it’s doing exactly what we want it to do.”
Bramble Woods is also holding a Back to School Craft Club aimed at helping children meet others before the start of term.
Amy added: “Our Back to School Craft Club next week is about helping children make new friends before walking through the school gates, while giving parents and carers the chance to meet others, find support and feel part of their new community.”
Local volunteers help run the Swap Shop and keep donations organised and accessible.
Organisers are encouraging families with uniforms and other school items their children have outgrown to donate them so they can be used by somebody else.
Equally, families needing the next size up or other useful items are welcome to see what is available.
Bramble Woods is open every day on Smuts Road, Catterick Garrison, DL9 3BJ.
Further information is available through the e50K and e50K Swap Shop Facebook pages or by emailing kerryanne.sanders@e50k.org.uk.
