A new free online service, , has launched across °¬˛ćAƬ and Torfaen to help families save money on the cost of school clothes and other essentials, reduce waste, and protect the environment.
The digital swap shop allows families to list good quality outgrown school clothes within their school community and request items they need for free. The platform is built around school communities and now includes all schools across both boroughs.
Speaking about the not-for-profit initiative, founder Jon Evans, who was brought up in Blaenavon and educated at St Alban's RC High School in Pontypool, said:
" helps our communities to support each other directly. Redistributing good quality school clothes is a simple practical action that has a real impact, helping families to save both their pocket and their planet."
Jon started FreeSchoolClothes with a single box of clothes outside his family home in Cardiff. Today they are a volunteer run community initiative helping redistribute outgrown school gear and other essentials for free right across the UK.
Cllr Sue Edmunds, °¬˛ćAƬ Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said:
"This free to use platform supports The Deal in °¬˛ćAƬ, which focuses on community action and working together to address inequalities. We are encouraging all our schools to use the site and to share information with parents to help local families save money. School children grow quickly and money is tight everywhere, so every item exchanged will help families in our communities save money, reduce waste and protect the planet."
Sign up and swap today at or contact: support@freeschoolclothes.com