The Uniform Exchange

A church in the Cynon Valley is helping low income families by setting up a uniform exchange which will run through the summer holidays.

St Fagans Church in Aberdare has said that the donated school uniforms will be passed onto families on low income, through Mountain Ash Citizens Advice.

The church said,

“Our Uniform Exchange aims to encourage the people of RCT to recycle and donate old school uniform rather than putting it in the bin, so that other families living in the Cynon and Rhondda Valleys can benefit from their generosity.

In partnership with Trivallis and Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taff, we’re running collection points for unwanted uniforms over the summer holidays, and will get them to the children who want them the most, free of charge.”

What can you donate?

You can donate any school uniform items as long as they are in good condition, with no holes, tears or stains. Please wash them first and remove any name tags if possible so they can be distributed immediately.

The uniforms can be any from RCT primary or secondary schools. The church wants your school trousers, skirts, ties, shirts, polo shirts, jumpers, cardigans, blazers, PE kits, summer dresses, shoes, coats, trainers, swimwear, football boots and bags – with school logos or without.

Unfortunately, the church can’t re-distribute uniform which has been personalised with an embroidered name.

How do you qualify for free school uniform?

There is no qualification process when requesting school uniform, it’s on a first come first served basis. You can get school uniform from:

Citizens Advice RCT, First Floor, The Library, Knight Street, Mountain Ash, CF45 3EY
Monday, 9.30 – 12.30
Tuesday, 10.00 – 15.30
Wednesday, 13.00 – 16.00
Friday, 9.30 – 12.30

Llanfair Uniting Church, Community Centre, 404-411 Heol y Waun, Penrhys CF43 3NW
Tuesday – Thursday, 9.00 – 13.00

If you can’t get to either of those locations, please contact Citizens Advice RCT on 01443 409284. You can also ring this number to check if the items you need are in stock.

All items the church receive will go through a checking process before being given back out. The aim is to send out a school uniform that’s in very good condition for a child to wear.

Where can you donate?

Bring your uniform to either of our collection points:

St Fagans Community Hall, Windsor St, Trecynon, Aberdare, CF44 8LL
Open 10am – 12noon weekdays;
9-11am Sunday mornings

Llanfair Uniting Church, Community Centre, 404-411 Heol y Waun, Penrhys CF43 3NW
Tuesday – Thursday, 9.00 – 13.00