Community Threads

Last summer Michaela Wilson from Colne Market Café was catching up with her sister, a deputy head at a local school. They were both concerned about the rising cost of living and how families would cope, particularly when it came to the expense of buying school uniforms for their children. They knew the school had plenty of spare uniforms that parents could use, but many hesitated to ask or take them due to stigma or embarrassment.

That’s when Michaela had an idea. She set up Pendle In and Out of School Clothes Project, an unmanned stall where parents could come and pick up second-hand uniforms without any stigma attached. With no funding, Michaela asked for donations of school uniforms that had been outgrown and was given a space in Colne Market where people could come and take what they needed for free. The community donated everything, from the clothes to the hangers and rails.

The idea was supposed to be temporary, just running for six weeks to help families with the cost of back-to-school essentials. However, the stall was so successful that Michaela decided to keep it going and extend the range to include all children’s clothes. “It just snowballed,” she says, gesturing to the amazing amount of free donations for anyone who needs them.

Michaela is quickly to praise the Colne community

For some families, especially those new to the area or facing financial difficulties, it can be unattainable to afford multiple sets of school uniforms. “A lady came in with three daughters and said, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do’,” Michaela recalls. “I managed to kit them out with full uniforms, full P.E kits, a new coat each and a new bag each, and two of them got shoes. The lady was absolutely in tears and said she would use the money she had saved to take the kids out for the day. That’s what it’s all about.”

Michaela quickly praises the Colne community, which has helped make the stall a success. “We had a lady move in from out of town with three kids. She struggled to kit them all in school uniforms, and we didn’t have what she needed, so we put a post on Facebook and got all three sorted. It’s that kind of community.”

Despite being unmanned, the stall has only had one instance of someone taking more than they needed. “An older gentleman was taking clothes to sell on his car boot sale!” Michaela laughs. Fortunately, after a chat explaining the purpose of the stall, he stopped.

“It works in Colne. I think everyone is feeling the pinch, and it is for everyone – your income doesn’t matter. We all need to save what we can, and we’re saving clothes from landfill too. Kids are in school clothes so little; they are like new when they come in.”

“It works in Colne. I think everyone is feeling the pinch, and it is for everyone – your income doesn’t matter.”

The stall is always in need of new donations. “We get maybe ten bin bags a week, and as soon as we can put stuff out, it’s gone.” If you have clothes, shoes, or bags that your children no longer wear, drop them off at the stall in Colne Market.

Unfortunately, the end of the stall may be in sight. The refurbishment of the market, due to take place in September, means that the stall will no longer have a home. Michaela is currently in the process of registering for charity status so that she can fundraise the rent for a new stall. To help save this beloved community asset, check the Pendle In and Out of School Clothes Project’s Facebook page for updates.

This is an inspiring example of how a small idea can impact a community. Michaela’s initiative has helped countless families in the Colne area, providing them with access to affordable and sustainable school uniforms. The success is a testament to the power of community and the importance of supporting one another in times of need. As the market refurbishment approaches, Michaela is working hard to secure a new location for the stall. The community has come together to support the project. With the help of registered charity status, fundraising efforts, and donations, the project will hopefully continue providing a valuable service for needy families.

ColneLife Summer 23