Launched in Autumn 2022, the Placement Uniform Swap Shop operates at Glenside Students’ Union to help alleviate the financial pressure faced by students studying in healthcare courses, it also saves unwanted or unused uniforms from waste.

Since then, The Placement Uniform Swap Shop has continued to grow and so far, in the 2023-2024 academic year, 595 Students have used this service, this is an increase of 150 students from this time last year. In the first Swap Shop in September, 26 students attended and based on Alexandra Works Wear pricing, we have estimated we have saved students approximately £636.86 averaging at approximately £24.50 per student. For the first term, we reached 417 students either attending or swapping items. An overview of the term one is included here. Our records show that we helped students save at least a massive £4,495.14 on uniforms in 4 months. In our second term running the swap shop, we had 178 students, saving them a total of £1,859.74.

We have had  amazing verbal feedback directly from our hardworking students on how the swap shop has helped them feel more confident in what they are wearing and as a result they are more prepared for their placements and practicals. 

The Success of the Placement Uniform Swap Shop serves as a testament to the growing demand for sustainable living options which here at The Students' Union at UWE, we strive to provide. 

Students can drop in every Wednesday between 12:00-14:00 or arrange an appointment with our Glenside Campus Coordinator at a mutually agreeable time to check out the stock. They don’t need to bring in uniform to get a free uniform from the swap shop, we try and encourage as many students as possible to drop off their unused uniforms that they no longer need, and many students drop off their uniforms once they have finished University.