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Community School Uniform Recycling Scheme

School Uniform Re-Use Drop-Offs and Collections will be available at locations across the Borough. Please see details below:

Why Recycle your Old School Uniform?

We all know that our children grow very quickly and those uniforms that were oversized and too long just last September, have very quickly become too short on their arms and legs!

Waste in the production of uniforms is vast! Each stage of the complex manufacturing process uses an extraordinary amount of electricity and water. Then children grow, and these perfectly good uniforms often end up in landfills just because they don't fit the particular child anymore.

But what if there was a better way?

School uniforms can last a very long time if cared for and laundered using eco-friendly products, instead of harsh chemicals and optical brighteners. These wear the uniforms out before their time by fading and stripping away the colour.

If you have a child who has grown out of their uniform or no longer needs it, why not do your bit for the environment by passing on their uniforms? Then, come along to a Community School Uniform Scheme or a Sales Event and pick up some essentials for the new school year!

Local schemes

Area	Participating Group	Operational details	Contact details	Address	Notes
Antrim	Oasis Antrim in partnership with Christian Fellowship Church (CFC)	Uniforms can be viewed/collected from Mon 18 July to Fri 5 August 2022 in CFC.	T. 07902 895525 E. Jennifer.todd@oasis-ni.org	Oasis, Antrim, 10D High St, Antrim BT41 4AN	Appointment required to view/ collect uniforms. Please ring to arrange.
Ballyclare	St John’s Church	Donations accepted from Wed 6 July 2022 Uniforms can be viewed/collected every Wed, 10am-12pm during July and August.	T. 028 9335 4814 E. david@theunitedparish.org.uk	3 Doagh Rd, Ballyclare BT39 9BG	No appointment necessary. If the opening times are not suitable, or for any queries please ring to speak to a volunteer.
Carmoney	Carnmoney Presbyterian Church – Uniform Ministry*	Uniform queries should be made directly via the designated phone number. Donations accepted on Sat 2 July, 11am-3pm in the Sports Hall side entrance of Carnmoney Church.	T. 07716 709439 E. rosyelliott@me.com	Carnmoney Church, 258 Carnmoney Rd, Newtownabbey BT36 6JZ	Carnmoney Presbyterian Church also have a gift and thrift shop called Manna, located opposite the Church. Manna specialises in high quality used children’s clothing and accessories, and also have a school uniform scheme.
Crumlin	Safe Space to be Me	Donations and Collections are on-going.	T. 028 9620 8284 E. info@asafespacetobeme.co.uk	28 Mill Rd, Crumlin BT29 4XL	No appointment necessary.
Glengormley	Community Relations Forum*	Donations accepted from Mon 27 June 2022. Uniforms can be viewed/collected every Mon in July from 9.30 am to 5pm.	T. 07801 989917 T. 028 9084 9314 E. Kathywolff1@aol.com	The Barron Hall, 230 Antrim Rd, Glengormley, Newtownabbey BT36 7QX	No appointment necessary. Please ring the designated phone number for any other times to suit or uniform queries
Glengormley	Fit Moms & Kids*	Uniforms can be donated directly into Fit Moms & Kids facility Uniforms can be viewed/collected from Fit Moms & Kids facility (Mon - Fri 10am-1pm)	E. l.evans27@hotmail.com	Portland Ave, Glengormley, Newtownabbey BT36 5EY	No appointment necessary.
Monkstown	Monkstown Village Centre*	Donations accepted from Mon 4 July - Fri 8 July 2022 between 9.30am-12pm Uniforms can be viewed/collected every Wed and Fri 10am-12pm from 5 - 19 August 2022.	Contact: Alan Johnston & Irena McCracken T. 028 9086 0090 E. villagecentre@btinternet.com	Development Office, 18 Monkstown Village Centre, Newtownabbey BT37 0HS (located above Tesco Express)	No appointment necessary.
Rathcoole	Listening Ear	Donations accepted from Fri 1 July 2022. Uniform Scheme will operate every Thurs & Fri 10am-4pm throughout July and August in Dunanney Centre.	Contact: Samantha Wallace T. 028 9508 5934 E. listeningearnewtownabbey@outlook.com	Dunanney Centre, Newtownabbey BT37 9DQ	No appointment necessary.
Toome	Tidal Toome	Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm Thurs 14 July until Sat 13 Aug	T. 028 79659199 (please leave a voicemail)	Toome House, 55 Main Street, BT41 3TF, Toomebridge	No appointment necessary.

In addition to the individual School Uniform Schemes operating across the Borough, a number of School Uniform Re-Use Events will be delivered later in the summer to provide an additional opportunities for families to avail of the schemes:

Mossley Pavillion, Tuesday 26 July*
Carnmoney Presbyterian Church, Saturday 6 Aug
Christian Fellowship Church, Tuesday 2 August

*Will be attending the Uniform Re-Use Event in Mossley Pavilion on 26 July 2022.

FAQs
Who can use the schemes?

Anyone or any family can avail of the scheme. The schemes are NOT means tested. This means that you don’t need to “qualify” or provide proof of income. We would encourage everyone to utilise the schemes!
What school uniforms are available?

Whatever uniforms are donated by people living in your area are available for re-use! This should cover all common schools in your area and potentially other less common ones; contact each scheme directly for any uniform availability queries.
Where are the Schemes?

There are 8 schemes operating this year across Antrim and Newtownabbey. Details of all schemes can be found on the Council Website: https://antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/uniform/
When can I donate or collect items?

Each scheme is run by its own volunteers from the host organisation. They each operate their own opening days, times and patterns. Please see the link below for more specific details and contact your nearest scheme directly for more information.
I can afford to pay a little and I don’t want to take a uniform without donating something. How do I do this?

We understand that some people will wish to contribute or pay what they can. Of course, the easiest way is to donate some of your previous uniform which your child has out-grown. Some schemes may accept monetary donations.

At the School Uniform Re-Use Event on 26th July 2022 in Mossley Pavilion, any monetary donations received will be donated directly to the Trussell Trust to support local food banks.
What details or records are kept?

None of your details are kept and nor should personal information be asked for.

We understand that it can be very difficult for some people to use services like this. For this reason, it is anonymous and non-means tested. You do not need to explain your financial situation, nor should you be asked for proof of it.
Will my child’s school be informed?

No. The scheme is anonymous and your information is not held. Your personal data or items you have collected will not be shared with anyone.
Can I take items home for my child to try on?

We do wholly accept that some parents do not want their child to believe the item is pre-worn. If you do need to return an item, we just ask that the item is carefully washed and returned to the relevant scheme ASAP to facilitate the onward supply of the uniform to another individual.
I don’t want to be seen going in to collect items. How do I avoid this?

Most Schemes are held in centres where there is generally other daily activities going on in different parts of the building. No-one will know why you are going in. Also, remember, you may very well be going in to donate items.
I have a more specific question which isn’t covered here; who do I contact?

You can contact your nearest scheme directly should you have any other queries.