Outdoor Clothing Swap Shop
Removing barriers to nature in winter
Staff from Shetland Islands Council and RSPB Shetland organised an Outdoor Clothing Swap in November 2024, which aimed to remove barriers to nature in the winter by redistributing unwanted outdoor clothing. The goal was to make sure that anyone who needed outdoor clothing such as jackets could access them; and to promote getting in touch with nature and the benefits of being outside.
RSPB Shetland had noted that many people attending nature events did not have appropriate outdoor clothes. Collaborating with staff involved with the Council’s Sport and Leisure Services ‘Kit for All’ initiative, the Community Learning and Development team and the Active Schools team, an appeal was launched for donations of outdoor clothing alongside the donation and collection of sports clothes which Kit for All already facilitates. People were invited to donate coats, jackets, waterproofs, boots, hats, scarves and gloves for all ages.
The Outdoor Clothing Swap Shop was free and took place at the Gilbertson Park Games Hall in Lerwick on a Sunday in November, taking into account daylight, bus and ferry times. Half of the hall had the clothes swap, and the other half had organisations in attendance to share information about various support services available throughout the isles over the winter months. Anchor for Families, Living Well Hub, Mind Your Head, Community Connections, RSPB Shetland, NHS Health Improvement and Ability Shetland came to the event. Tea and coffee was available, as well as a soft play area for children. Shetland Aid and Tesco also supported the event by donating clothes hangers and rails.
Over 400 people attended the event and feedback was very positive. Workers reported powerful conversations taking place between attendees and partners, alongside attendees being grateful and overwhelmed with how the event had helped make winter more manageable for them. One attendee commented on the usefulness of the event when their family member was waiting to be paid, had high bills and could not have otherwise afforded appropriate outdoor clothing. Other feedback includes:
“'The clothes swap was a huge success and a reminder of how generous the Shetland community is. One thing that stood out for me was that there was no economic divide and everyone was treated with the same dignity and respect. Well done.”
“Many people asked if the event was going to happen again! Others also mentioned the financial benefit and how they are able to get their kids winter jackets and that was a huge weight lifted especially before Christmas.”
“My son is growing so fast that his jackets are always too small. It’s so helpful not to have to buy new, and to know he will get the benefit before he outgrows it”
With some clothing left at the end of the event and donations coming in afterwards, the team brought outdoor clothing to community events and drop ins across Shetland, run by the Community Learning and Development team, therefore reaching more communities throughout the winter.
The Swap Shop was designed to be inclusive for everyone. The team observed that as events like this gain popularity, offering affordable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional shopping, they tend to carry less stigma. This appears to helps higher attendance compared to other free events, which are often less well-attended and might otherwise miss helping those in need. The team plan to run the event again next year, possibly with more services attending, alongside a local sponsor.
Contribution to the Shetland Partnership
- Participation: Bringing together volunteers, families, and services in a community-led event.
- People: Supporting wellbeing and inclusion by ensuring everyone can access winter clothing and outdoor activities.
- Place: Strengthening use of shared spaces like Gilbertson Park Games Hall and extending access to clothing through community drop-ins across Shetland.
- Money: Reducing household costs by providing free, good-quality clothing and helping families manage living expenses.