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In 2023, as part of my Carbon Literacy training, I made a pledge to organise clothing swap shops. What started as a personal commitment to make a difference has since grown into a regular initiative across our college, with three events taking place each year and now in its fourth year. It has also expanded into the wider community, showing me how one small idea can develop into something that brings environmental and social benefits to many more people.

As a Digital Learning Advisor and active member of the college Eco Group, I was keen to contribute to the college’s sustainability ambitions. The Carbon Literacy training encouraged me to think beyond individual actions and identify a workplace project that could engage both staff and students in practical climate action.

Once I completed my training, I shared this idea with the group and our Head of Sustainability. The idea was warmly welcomed, and I was encouraged to explore and lead the project.

For each event, I liaise with relevant departments across the college to ensure I have the space and equipment needed. I create all the marketing material myself and work with Marketing to promote the events accordingly. In the first year, we were using clothing rails from our Arts department, but to help with transportation between our three main campuses, the Eco group budget was able to purchase our own rails.

The initiative is simple to run once the processes are established. By working with existing college departments, volunteers, and donation points, we have developed a sustainable model that now operates routinely across all three campuses.

Before each event, I put out a request for clothing donations and volunteers to help run the events, including both staff and students. It’s certainly hard work and logistically challenging to coordinate three events each year across our main campuses, but it is always worth it to see how much joy it brings staff and students.

Making an impact across the college

Every year these events have gone from strength to strength, with more people donating, volunteering and participating. At our most recent swap shop, 122 items found new homes with our students, and a large amount of leftover clothes donated to a local clothing project supporting the homeless.

The clothes swap events have had a positive social, educational, and financial impact on students, particularly those with additional needs. Feedback from learners highlights growing awareness of clothing reuse and sustainability, with students describing the activity as simple to understand, inclusive and enjoyable.

Affordability has been a significant benefit. Students have shared that even charity shops can be expensive, and access to free clothing has been particularly valuable for those who may not have suitable outfits at home. In several cases, the swap has helped students avoid purchasing clothing that would only be worn once or twice, especially for interviews or formal college activities.

The inclusive nature of the events has been especially impactful for students with SEN. One student selected a shirt during an earlier session and later wore it confidently to a formal internal meeting. Staff noted that the supportive environment helped students feel included, supported and able to try something new without pressure.

Overall, the clothes swap is viewed as a highly beneficial initiative. Although some students take time to warm up to new activities, consistent discussion and repeated opportunities have increased confidence and participation over time, maximising the long-term benefits for learners.

Following on from the first year of swap shops, I have been invited each year to deliver talks to our SEN students on the environmental impact of fast fashion and explore simple, positive ways they can reduce waste and refresh their wardrobes.

Taking the initiative into the community

After seeing the positive impact on students, I wanted to extend the benefits beyond the college. Expanding the initiative into the community allowed me to reach more people, reduce more textile waste and support residents during a time when many households were facing financial pressures.

I personally funded the initial set-up, investing in heavy-duty rails and dividers to create a professional, accessible and high-quality “pop-up” shop environment for all residents. To keep the events entirely free for residents, I led the search for venues willing to donate their space and partners to support us with refreshments.

The logistics are immense. My team of seventeen family members and friends help me with all the heavy lifting, transporting equipment and hundreds of items to various local hubs. After every event, the work continues at my home for several days, sorting through remaining stock, performing further quality checks, storing everything securely in my own space. My house becomes a community warehouse to ensure I’m always ready for the next event.

To date, the community initiative has rehomed 1,500 items. By diverting these from landfill, we are helping to reduce our towns municipal waste and supporting the borough’s commitment to a circular economy and helping to reduce textile waste.

I also created a local Facebook community group, which continues to grow with over 400 members.

As one resident noted: “I think that with all the family and friends helping, it runs very smoothly… it’s just an all-round brilliant idea.”

From the community stock, I also donated interview- style clothing to display at a Careers event hosted by Carers Worcestershire, where young people could help themselves to items for future interview opportunities.

This academic year, I have also been able to donate surplus interview clothing from our community stock to establish a college clothing bank for students who need appropriate attire for work experience placements or job interviews.

Recognition for the work

In June 2026, the community swap shop and I were shortlisted for our local business award under the Community Hero category. At the awards ceremony in September 2026, we received a Highly Commended award.

With around 1,000 nominations submitted across the categories, making the final shortlist was exciting in itself, so to walk away with a Highly Commended award was wonderful recognition of the work we’re doing to support sustainable fashion and build a circular economy in our local area.

The award recognition was a direct result of the growth and impact of the swap shop initiative, acknowledging both the environmental benefits and the community support it has provided over the past four years.

This guest blog is by Katie Kendrick, who turned a pledge made during her Carbon Literacy training into a thriving community initiative. What started as a commitment to establish clothing swap shops at the college where she works has grown into four years of successful college swaps, alongside a year of community clothing swaps across her local town. Her work is making a tangible environmental and community impact and has even earned her Highly Commended recognition at her local Business Awards.