Get your hands on free school uniform

Figures published by the Children’s Society earlier this year show parents are spending an average of £287 a year on primary school uniform and £422 on secondary. 

With the cost-of-living crisis putting the squeeze on families up and down the country, this is simply unaffordable for many people. So, what do you do if you can’t afford school uniform?

Uniform swap shops

Uniform swap shops are an initiative that’s growing in popularity across the UK. Whether you’re struggling to find the money to pay for new items of school clothing or you’re making the effort to be as green as possible, they’re worth checking out.

Simply take in school uniform your child has grown out of and swap it for items in the right size.  

We’ve made a list of swap shops (and other events/organisations offering free school uniform) up and down the country. Or just search online to find one in your area.

South East

Brighton

From Wednesday 20 August until 2 September, 10am – 5pm, you can get new and high-quality second-hand school uniform for free at an event at Whitehawk Library, Brighton.

Colchester and surrounding areas

Essex Free School Uniform

Harlow

The Community School Uniform Exchange based in the Harvey Shopping Centre

Luton

Luton uniform exchange

South West

Bath and North East Somerset

The Uniform Cupboard

Bristol

Bristol Uniform Exchange

Somerset

School Swap West Somerset

Yorkshire 

Doncaster

Rossington Uniform Swap Shop 

Halifax

YMCA Free School Uniform Scheme

Huddersfield and surrounding areas

Kirklees Uniform Exchange 

Leeds

Leeds School Uniform Exchange

Pontefract

Pontefract Uniform Exchange

Selby

Selby Uniform Swap Shop

Wakefield

Small Steps Uniform Bank

Midlands

Birmingham

Rubery Schools Community Swop Shop 

Louth

Generations Church Uniform Bank

Nottingham

School Uniform Swop Shop

Skegness

School Uniform Swap Shop 

North East

Middlesbrough

Preloved School Uniform Bank

Newcastle and surrounding areas

Uniform Swap Shop 

Sunderland 

Fulwell Community School Uniform Scheme

North West

Accrington

Hyndburn Uniform Swap Shop

Liverpool/Wirral

Wirral FUSS

Manchester

Smart Start

Winsford

Winsford Uniform Exchange

Wales

Caerphilly

Caerphilly Uniform Exchange

Cardiff

A Better Fit

Llandrindod

Llandrindod Uniform Exchange

Maesteg

Uniform Swap Shop Maesteg