- Published
A community project is offering clothing for as little as 50p to help families who are struggling with the cost of living.
asserted
who → publish → living
The Echo project, based at York House in Manor Top, Sheffield, sells pre-loved clothing, including coats, shoes, sportswear and school uniforms.
asserted
project → base → coats
The project is run by Manor and Castle Development Trust in collaboration with community interest company Uni-Recycle, which collects and redistributes school uniforms at low prices.
asserted
which → run → prices
Organisers said they wanted to make affordable clothing accessible to everyone while challenging the stigma sometimes associated with buying second-hand.
asserted
clothing → say → stigma
Manor and Castle Development Trust has been operating for almost 30 years and has about 45 members of staff.
asserted
Manor → operate → staff
Its work includes toddler groups, dementia support, physical health and mental wellbeing services, employment support, training and benefits advice.
asserted
work → include → groups
Dawn Dale, the trust's community development manager, said the Echo project was named to reflect its aim of giving items a second life through reuse.
asserted
project → say → reuse
She said its low prices were designed to make clothing accessible to those who needed it, rather than to generate income.
asserted
who → say → income
She said the idea developed partly in response to the cost of living crisis and concerns about clothing going to landfill.
"
asserted
clothing → say → landfill
We had a think about what we could do," she said.
uncertain
she → have → what
Dale said brands such as John Lewis had helped the team create a boutique-style shop by advising on clothing displays and donating rails.
asserted
team → say → rails
She said the aim was to create a shopping experience where people could find more than just school uniforms.
uncertain
people → say → uniforms
"While you're here looking for a school uniform, mum might see a jacket, dad might see some trainers," she said.
uncertain
she → look → trainers
Dale also described York House as a place where people could meet, socialise and build friendships.
uncertain
people → describe → friendships
"You can come in and look for a blouse but actually while you are here you get offered a cup of tea, you can sit and do some crafting," she said.
"It break down barriers, it helps people build friendships.
asserted
people → come → friendships
"
As well as offering affordable, good-quality clothing, the Echo project on City Road helps people overcome barriers to taking part in physical activity.
asserted
people → offer → activity
The trust's chief executive, Lucy Warren, said the cost of trainers and gym wear could prevent some people from getting involved.
uncertain
cost → say → people
"We can, not only provide you something in the shop, but open up the opportunity for you to engage in lots of other ways," she said.
asserted
she → provide → ways
Kelly Anne Bell, also from the trust, runs the shops, which she said was about bringing people together and supporting the local community.
asserted
she → run → community
"This project supports so many families because school uniforms are so expensive," said Bell.
asserted
Bell → support → families
"We've had school uniforms coming in with the labels still on - for one dress it's £14 and we're offering [them for] 50p.
asserted
we → have → 50p
Shopper Kelly Prior said the project was needed in the community.
asserted
project → say → community
"I think it makes [people] feel more welcome in the area, knowing just a port of call where they can meet new people," she said.
asserted
she → think → people
"You can get everything here.
asserted
You → get → everything
The Aporia
