Swindon charity upcycles branded clothing for those in need
A Swindon charity is upcycling brand new clothing with old logos to help people in need, turning surplus items into usable garments.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A Swindon charity is turning surplus branded clothing into usable garments for people in need, preventing tons of new items from going to landfill. The project, run by Dressability, originally focused on altering clothes for people with disabilities but has developed a sideline removing or covering up old logos and branding from brand new stock that companies can no longer sell.
Companies often have leftover garments because of discontinued lines or logo changes. One company that specialises in adding logos to clothing began sending its spare coats, fleeces and other items to Dressability. The charity's volunteers then work to make the garments wearable again, so they can be given to homeless people and others in need.
A volunteer said: 'I really enjoy doing it because I love sewing anyway and I just feel that this is really worthwhile. I can use whatever talent I might have for somebody else's benefit.'
The finished coats, worth between 50 and 100 pounds each, are distributed to shelters and organisations. Patrick, a former homeless man who now volunteers, recalled receiving a coat himself: 'I was calling chaff ready because I wasn't expecting like something like that it just coat because I might have needed stuff when I was homeless. I needed some clothing because when I made homeless I lost all my everything.' He added that people are often surprised by the quality of the items.
Dressability now sends garments across the West of England and further afield, including to Liverpool and Ukraine. The charity currently has more clothes than it can process, but sees a clear need for both the clothing and the waste reduction. The project is seeking more volunteers to help with the sewing work.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Dressability started a sideline removing or covering old logos to make garments wearable for people in need. | |
| The charity sends finished garments across the West and to places like Liverpool and Ukraine. | |
| Tons of brand-new clothing go to landfill each year due to outdated logos or ended promotions. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focuses on the positive impact of the upcycling project, highlighting the environmental benefit of preventing landfill and the personal stories of recipients. It gives a detailed account of the process, from companies donating surplus stock to volunteers altering garments, and includes emotional testimony from a former homeless man who received a coat. The tone is warm and community-focused, with a clear message about reducing waste.
- “It's a brand new coat so worth anything between 50 and 100 pounds and people that are homeless or people in need can benefit from a new coat but more importantly it's preventing landfill.”
- “I was calling chaff ready because I wasn't expecting like a brand new coat because I might have needed stuff when I was homeless.”
Broadcast Timeline
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