The volunteer-run school uniform shop in Darlington is extending its hours for the summer holidays to cope with increased demand as families prepare for the new term.
Where and when it’s open
The shop, operated by Darlington Cares, is located on the ground floor of the Feethams car park, opposite the rear of Boyes. For most of August it will be open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm. During the weeks beginning 17 and 24 August opening hours will be extended to 10am to 4pm. The service will be closed on Monday 31 August for the bank holiday.
How the scheme works and its scale
The shop collects donated, unwanted school uniforms, has items professionally laundered and then offers them free to those who need them. Since the scheme began six years ago, volunteers say it has provided almost 50,000 items of uniform to local families and diverted more than 22 tonnes of clothing from landfill.
| Running time | Items supplied | Weight diverted |
|---|---|---|
| 6 years | ~50,000 | >22 tonnes |
Volunteer effort and council view
Councillor Jim Garner, Darlington Council’s cabinet member for stronger communities, paid tribute to the volunteers who staff the shop and highlighted how the project supports local priorities on inequality and environmental impact.
"The uniform shop is a great service that has been going from strength to strength... The shop is a great asset to the town and links into the council’s core principles of addressing inequalities and tackling climate change."
Practical notes for residents
Volunteers expect particularly high footfall in the weeks before the start of term and have asked visitors to be patient. The shop distributes only the items that have been donated, so it may not always have every size or specific piece requested.
- Open Monday–Friday, 10am–1pm (all August).
- Extended hours 10am–4pm during weeks starting 17 and 24 August.
- Closed Monday 31 August (bank holiday).
Those wishing to donate clean, gently used uniforms can drop items at the Uniform Scheme Shop during opening hours or at other local collection points. Known drop-off locations include:
- In a Spin Laundry Services, North Road
- Cockerton Club (donation bin outside)
- Eastbourne Park Community Hub
- Firthmoor Community Centre (Mon–Fri, 9am–1pm)
- The Dolphin Centre
- The Beehive at Lingfield Point
For many families the scheme reduces back-to-school costs and offers an environmentally friendly alternative to buying new uniform. For the wider town the project is a visible example of community volunteering and re-use in Darlington’s town centre.
Volunteers and the council ask residents to check times before travelling and to bear in mind that stock depends entirely on donations, particularly in the busy run-up to term.
