Now Wear it Share it has had to move to larger premises because so many people have made donations
A CHARITY set up to help families in need of free children’s clothing has had to move to larger premises because it’s had so many donations.
Claire Goode started Wear it Share it to provide families with pre-loved children’s clothing and bedding.
Since it was set up in, 2019 she has helped clothe 410 families in Cardiff thanks to people’s kind donations.
Claire, a family support worker, started the charity after she met a mum who couldn’t afford to buy clothes despite the fact she was working. Organisations which help clothe babies already existed, she said, but there seemed to be a lack of support for children age two to 16.
She said: “I had this thought, what if I get second hand clothes and keep them and if someone needs them I can give them the clothes. It’s as straightforward as that.”
“People are saying it’s a case of do I put the heating on, do I feed my kids, or do I clothe my children. They have to make these choices that they never really had to before.”
The idea has grown and Wear it Share it now receive donations from people who make contact on social media, and through recommendations and word of mouth.
Due to her role as a family support worker, Claire has a network of colleagues, health visitors, midwives, social workers and staff at homeless hostels and is able to reach those families most in need of clothes and bedding.
The cost of living crisis has further increased demand for free clothes. Claire said: “People are saying it’s a case of do I put the heating on, do I feed my kids, or do I clothe my children. They have to make these choices that they never really had to before.”
To cope with this increase in need, the charity moved from an 80 sq ft to 110 sq ft storage unit on Newport Road at the weekend. This is not the first time the charity have had to upsize their storage space and expect it won’t be the last.
In the long-term, Claire expects to upsize again and again and would love to eventually have a proper building, instead of a storage unit.
In the shorter-term, Claire is going to include older teenagers and will increase the focus on shoe donations.
Claire said the charity’s simple concept means that people are keen to help and donate, they are pleased to see their old clothes have a new life and not end up in landfill.
“Rather than these clothes being thrown away, children are benefitting from them.”
Although Wear it Share it focus its work in Cardiff, Claire believes it is a simple idea, similar to that of a foodbank, that could work anywhere.
Latest figures from the Senedd show that 28% of children in Wales are living in relative poverty, meaning their household income falls below 60% of the UK median. This has been consistently higher than the rate in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- If you want to refer a family for clothing support, fill in the referrals form at https://wearitshareit.co.uk/referrals. To make donations email Claire Goode at clairegoode74@gmail.com.
