With kids growing out of their clothes faster than ever and back-to-school expenses mounting, local families are being offered a helping hand this summer.
The Swish & Stitch Uniform Hub is holding a free uniform swap on Sunday 9 August 2026, from 10:30am to 2pm at Southport Market. Organised by local group The Hearth, the event offers a simple way for parents and carers to pass on outgrown school wear and pick up the next size up without spending a penny.
How It Works
The swap is open to everyone and covers all local schools across the area. Families can bring along clean, good-condition items such as jumpers, cardigans, shirts, polo shirts, trousers, skirts, pinafores, PE kits, coats and shoes.
There is no obligation to bring items in order to take something away, and any uniform left over at the end of the afternoon will be donated directly to the Southport Uniform Hub to ensure nothing goes to waste.
Cutting Waste, Helping Families
The initiative is part of Swish & Stitch, Southport, a broader project aimed at keeping textiles out of landfill and making sustainable living accessible to all. Textiles remain one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the UK, but local organisers highlight that the greenest uniform is always the one that gets a second life.
Funding for the programme comes from the Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) and the Veolia Zero Waste Community Fund 2026–27.
The host organisation, The Hearth Network CIC, was co-founded by Southport residents Rebecca Armstrong and Nadia Speers Robinson. The grassroots community interest company works across the borough to connect residents, schools, local businesses and the council through practical, eco-friendly events – from beach cleans along the Sefton Coast to community lunches.
Event Details
- Date: Sunday 9 August 2026
- Time: 10:30am – 2pm
- Location: Southport Market, Southport
- Cost: Free (registration required)
Tickets are free to reserve online beforehand via Eventbrite.