Wolverhampton Uniform Swap Shop
1665. Rosalind Shaw
Rosalind Shaw, from Wolverhampton, set up a school uniform swap church at her local church which has helped hundreds of children in the past year receive items of clothing.
In the process, Rosalind has helped ensure over a tonne of clothing has been saved from going to landfill. Rosalind has also been key to building a wider community hub around the church to offer continued support to local families throughout the pandemic.
In a personal letter to Rosalind, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Thank you for your fantastic uniform swap initiative. In the last year alone you have saved a staggering tonne of clothing from going to landfill.
“You have also created a community hub in your church where families can go for help. Such community spirit has been more important than ever over the last year.”
Rosalind said:
“I am delighted and honoured to receive the Points of Light award. Our Community Uniform Swap Shop has grown enormously during the pandemic due to the generosity of the local community who have donated outgrown uniform and shared our work with friends and family. Our swap shop saves these items of clothing from landfill and passes them on to others for free, saving parents money while doing our part for the environment. I am thankful for our amazing team of volunteers who help to sort the clothes, fix any missing buttons or unpicked hems, and assist people who come to choose the uniform they need or want. The support our project has received is incredible and I am very grateful for this wonderful recognition from the Prime Minister.”
Stuart Anderson, Rosalind’s local MP for Wolverhampton South West, said:
“I would like to congratulate Rosalind Shaw on this fantastic achievement. The motto of Wolverhampton is ‘out of darkness cometh light’, The Prime Minister’s Points of Light award recognises those who go above and beyond in serving their community. Our city has a great community spirit, and it is excellent to see the hard-work and dedicated efforts of inspirational role models such as Rosalind being recognised in this way.”