What we do

Being an Eco Wear branch has several key features, and these are heavily supported by the Foundation to ensure everything runs smoothly.

1: Run by pupils

Every branch of Eco Wear is headed up by a pair (or more in larger operations) of Eco Ambassadors, selected by teachers and trained by the Foundation to oversee every aspect of the branch. A lead staff member is designated for safeguarding & oversight purposes, but their role remains very limited. Ambassadors typically serve several year terms before finding successors, but remain connected to the foundation as alumni. 

2: Uniform sold is at a set standard

All uniform sold at Eco Wear branches across the UK must be at a level of quality defined by the Foundation, to ensure that the brand remains trusted & valued by parents, and known for its high quality items for sale. 

3: Stock is held on site

Unlike conventional 'swap shops', part of the key model of Eco Wear is that stock is stored on site continuously, recorded online & available for sale at school social events and potentially during term time. This allows parents to plan ahead by knowing which items are available, to save a long wait if new items have to be ordered from external suppliers.

4: Price of items sold is within a set markdown

All items sold at Eco Wear branches are done so at set markdowns from their new sales prices, to ensure consistency and provide financial relief to parents.

5: At least 70% of money generated goes to charity

The primary focus of Eco Wear is to raise money for local charities through the sale of second-hand uniform in independent schools across the UK. In order to support this objective, 70% of all yearly income for each branch must be donated to a/several local charity/ies.

6: Ongoing support & training of branch & generalised business training

Upon setup, Eco Wear Foundation staff provide a comprehensive training programme for Ambassadors, covering every aspect of running an Eco Wear branch. All Eco Wear branches are also part of a nationwide network, which provides continuous support. Monthly foundation-wide meetings, termly one-to-one sessions with each branch, and yearly site visits keep all branches running smoothly, and updated training is provided for all new & existing ambassadors. 

7: A series of education sessions run for pupils & parents at every school

Ambassadors will be encouraged to organise educational sessions & workshops for both pupils and parents at their school, to spread awareness of the problems associated with uniform waste. 

Every school is different, so every Eco Wear branch has its own variations. The way that the Foundation is setup allows Ambassadors to fully take control of their own branches under a light framework, which promotes their personal skill development. Ambassadors have always found the role very rewarding, and the connection to other branches across the country brings a real community spirit to the role. As a developing organisation, we are looking to learn from our Ambassadors and improve the Eco Wear Foundation in every way possible, further promoting the sustainable objectives of the Foundation. 

If your school doesn't have any form of second-chance uniform shop:

For schools where the concept of a second-chance uniform shop is new, we can work with them to build a full Eco Wear branch from scratch. Beginning with a drive to gather stock, we can direct the whole process through until the first sales event.

If your school already has a second-chance uniform offering:

We will look to build upon the resources & infrastructure already in place, to streamline existing operations and ensure that the shop meets every aspect of the Eco Wear structure. We want to work with schools to maximise the efficiency of their current setup, so we would be looking to take advantage of any school shops, storage facilities or similar. Get in touch to find out more.