Venues in Ashby and North West Leicestershire are being encouraged to become school uniform swap shops to ease the financial burden for struggling families.

The initiative is being set up by North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) to help families in the cost of living crisis.

Shops, businesses and community venues can sign up to become a swap shop - and receive second hand uniform donations for schools within the local area.

To take part, venues will need a drop off bin, hanging rail, coat hangers and signage to direct parents to donate or collect free pre-loved items.

The council will have a limited number of rails available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Designated swap shops will also need to make sure that donations are clean, useable, plain coloured or have a badge for schools in their area. This includes:

• Jumpers / blazers
• Trousers
• Polo shirts / shirts
• Dresses
• Skirts
• P.E kits including bags and shoes
• School shoes
• Book bags.

The project will run from the start until the end of the school holidays, and will give shops and businesses an opportunity to grow their clientele as well as reducing the amount of school uniforms sent to landfill every year.

To become a school uniform swap shop, venues can sign up by emailing [email protected]

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: "The cost of school uniforms hits parents hard every year, but even more so in the cost of living crisis.

"School uniforms are something that should be accessible to everyone and we want to try and ease the burden on parents who struggle to buy new school uniform every year.

"We're looking for shops and venues such as libraries, community hubs, churches, charities to become school uniform swap shops – if this sounds like you, get in touch with Helen, our Food Poverty Officer directly."