Uniform Exchange is a Kirklees-based charity providing free, high-quality school uniforms to children and families in need while promoting environmental sustainability through textile reuse and recycling.

Working with all 182 schools across Kirklees, we ensure that every child can attend school with confidence, dignity, and equality. Our work reduces both financial hardship and environmental waste, tackling two major challenges in one simple act: giving school uniform a second life.

Founded in 2011 and run by a small team of staff and over 40 dedicated volunteers, we have grown into one of the region’s leading examples of a zero-waste, circular economy charity.

Our Impact Across Our Core Services

• Supported approximately 11,000 children across 182 schools in Kirklees in 2024
• Redistributed roughly 80,000 items of school uniform, saving local families an estimated £1 million
• Processed and diverted over 50 tonnes of donated textiles, including around 40 tonnes from landfill
• Distributed 2,000+ winter coats, plus hats, gloves, scarves, wellies, underwear, and pyjamas to vulnerable children and families
• The Sustainable Uniform Exchange programme engaged 25 schools, held 55 school-based and 11 community-based events, redistributed 4,089 items, supported 1,573 children and saved families £33,273.50. It also achieved the equivalent environmental savings of 25,096 plastic bottles and involved 46 pupil volunteers
• Volunteers donated over 12,000 hours (approximately 1,500 working days), contributing critical capacity across sorting, mending, deliveries, and retail operations

What We Are Especially Proud Of

• Achieving our highest service scale yet – reaching 11,000 children in one year
• Operating as a zero-waste, circular economy charity delivering measurable environmental impact
• Receiving The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (November 2024) – a national recognition of our volunteer-led impact.
• Embedding the “make second-hand first choice” culture in local schools, reducing stigma and driving lasting behaviour change

Sorting and preparing items for sale in our charity shop, raising vital funds for the charity. Operating as part of a team to ensure that every child has access to free recycled school uniform across Kirklees.

The role:

– Emptying donation bags and sorting through items

– Sorting and categorising items

– Checking each item for quality

– Putting items neatly on shelves or rails

– Welcoming customers and attending to their queries

– Moving items around the facility

– Operating the till and handling cash

Everyone is asked to help clean and tidy at the end of the day so we always come back to an organised, welcoming space

Requirements:

– Eye for detail

– Working as a team

– Good level of spoken English

– Using initiative and common sense

We offer:

– Travel expenses for a session of 3 hours or more

– Lunch expenses for a session of 4 hours or more

– Free tea, coffee, squash, biscuits and fruit during your session

– A suitable reference for potential onward employment

Location:

Unit 17 Railway Sawmills Business Park, Burbeary Road, Lockwood, Huddersfield HD1 3UN

Bus number 324, the nearest bus stop is Meltham Road / Bentley Street. Alternatively catch a bus to Lockwood Bar crossroads and walk the last 5-10 minutes

What3words: parks.heave.feast

• Application form required

• 18+
• 16 - 18 year olds