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Penallta Reuse Shop has teamed-up with the Caerphilly Uniform Exchange to offer donated school uniforms to residents free of charge.

The reuse shop, which opened on Penallta Industrial Estate last year, was launched by Caerphilly County Borough Council in partnership with south-Wales based charity Wastesavers, with profits split between Wastesavers and the council mayor’s chosen charity.

Caerphilly Uniform Exchange is a Lansbury Park-based community interest company, set up by mum-of-two Lisa Watkins with the aim of reducing waste and saving families money on school uniforms, prom wear and sports kits.

Lisa started the exchange to help parents with the ever-increasing cost of school uniforms. Since opening the shop in January, more than 200 families have been supported.

Lisa said: “The current cost-of-living crisis is having an impact on local families, and we hope that we can ease the financial burden when it comes to sourcing school uniform.”

Nicola Rossiter, reuse operations manager at Wastesavers, said: “It’s wonderful to be able to help local families like this. My little one starts school this year, so I know first-hand how many items are needed and how quickly kids grow.

“The beauty of the Penallta Reuse Shop is that it really allows us to react to what is needed by the community and divert from landfill at the same time.”

Councillor Chris Morgan, who is the council’s cabinet member for waste, said the reuse shop was opened as part of “our journey to becoming a carbon neutral authority, but also because of the social and economic benefits that reuse has on a community”.

He continued: “We know that the start of a new school year, and the associated costs, can be daunting for many parents – so we hope that this partnership will help as many parents and residents as possible.”

Visit the council’s website for more information about the reuse shop, or visit Caerphilly Uniform Exchange on Facebook.