One in a MILLION!
This week, we’re praising the stylish spirit of Lauren Cowdery, 39, from Leeds. She said…
Rummaging through bags of secondhand clothes, I checked off a list in my head. No holes, no stains, no bobbles, I thought.
I was assessing pre-loved items that would later be hung up as part of the Leeds Community Clothes Exchange.
It was something I’d been doing since summer 2014, after going to the clothes exchange in Woodhouse Community Centre every month as a regular.
Bringing in bags of my clothes, as well as some from my husband Karl, 41, I was excited to see what I could exchange them for.
I loved wearing funky patterns, so I gravitated to colourful items.
My best find was a pair of broken-in Doc Martens – I’ve worn them almost every day since getting them five years ago!
From donated high street staples to designer jeans and vintage gems, there was always something to suit everyone’s styles.
Every item was worth one credit – if you brought one item in, you could swap it for one other.
Only, I wanted to do so much more than updating my wardrobe.
‘Do you need any help here?’ I asked the team.
I’d never volunteered before, but I soon got stuck in.
I began assessing clothes and hanging them up nicely so they could find new homes.
I even helped organise our Charity Bank Scheme – where our swappers donated their credits into a big pot so anyone in need who came to us could use them.
We always ensured that those who can’t afford new clothes could get everything they needed.
We even collated parcels of donated clothing, too, such as warm winter coats, for our local refugee charities and domestic violence shelters.
Knowing that I’m helping others by giving clothes a second life keeps me coming back every month.
And that’s not to mention catching up with our fantastic regulars, too!
One regular in her seventies was recently on the hunt for something special.
‘I have a fancy dress party soon,’ she said. ‘Do you have anything that could work?’
Running down to our storeroom, my colleague was hanging up the perfect pair of paisley bell bottoms. ‘They’re perfect!’ I smiled. And handing them over, she was thrilled. She even showed us a photo of her wearing them a month later.
Moments like that made the Exchange so special.
After all, kindness is always in style.
We give clothes a new lease of life