A former school matron has launched a brand new uniform recycling platform to help parents tackle the cost of living crisis.
Janet Johnston says she is proud to be bringing the uniform recycling revolution to Northern Ireland through the launch of her family-run uniform resale platform, sellmyuniform.co.uk.
Sell My Uniform is focused on pre-owned school uniforms and equipment and aimed at transforming the way to buy, wear and discard them.
Read more: Mum 'nearly in tears at uniform bill' as support grant 'doesn't go far enough'
The website allows parents to easily search for pre-loved items from Grammar and High Schools across Northern Ireland, at discounted prices.
In addition, parents can recycle their second-hand items by selling them on to other parents through the site.
Janet, a part-time nanny and former boarding school matron, was made redundant from Victoria College in Belfast as a result of Covid-19.
She used her redundancy money to set up the resale platform to help cash-strapped parents cope with the rising cost of brand new uniforms.
Janet said: “With the cost of living crisis, it is increasingly difficult to kit out children in brand new uniforms at the start of every school year.
“Aside from a school blazer, trousers, skirt, shirt, blouse, tie, there is the standard PE kit, the rugby kit, the soccer kit, the tennis kit, the hockey kit, not forgetting the Duke of Edinburgh experience, the ski trips, musical instruments… the requirements are endless.”
According to a recent discussion paper produced by the Parent Engagement Group, the average family are spending £378 on post- primary uniforms.
“The thought of September looming and having to spend a fortune on brand new uniform that children will grow out of in a few months can cast a long shadow over the summer holidays for many parents,” said Janet, who is step-mum to a 21-year-old daughter.
Janet’s initial idea for a uniform recycling platform was sparked after a discussion with a parent about the amount of uniform required for every pupil.
After subsequent conversations with her family, including husband Trevor who also works in education, friends and parents, Sell My Uniform was born.
“I spoke to many mums and dads and was met with the same response: no parent wants to restrict their child’s opportunities because they can’t afford it,” Janet explained.
“Some had forked out twice because of having to replace lost items; others had piles of unwanted uniform at home that they would love to sell on and use the money to fund the next stage, like paying for university expenses.”
She added: “Uniform recycling makes financial sense for families, but it also reduces waste, building a more sustainable future while giving back to your community.
“I believe if given a choice, many Northern Ireland parents will shop sustainably by opting for second-hand uniforms where possible. My goal is to make that choice a reality.”
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