“The scheme is ever changing to meet the needs of our community in Shetland”
We caught up with Sport and Physical Activity Officer, Lesley Spence who runs The Shetland Sportswear Recycle Scheme. The initiative started in 2017 to help try and meet the needs of those living in Shetland.
Can you tell us a little bit more about how The Shetland Sportswear Recycle Scheme started?
“The project came about after feedback saw more and more people unable to take part in physical activities due to the lack of suitable clothing and footwear with activities that I was organising. I began by rallying around colleagues, other services within my local authority for guidance and support and literally, managed to set-up wheelie bins in Local community Leisure Centres, Library and offices”.
Bins became the main donations points for The Shetland Sportswear Recycle Scheme and were initially set out for a period of 6 weeks. The team checked and sorted donations then redistributed the clothing out to those in need. After an overwhelming success of the project and with agreement from other services, the donation points now remain open all year round.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of people in Shetland and their donations, I have been able to redistribute to many families, young people, adults, schools and sports clubs over the years. The scheme itself is ever changing to meet the needs of our community in Shetland”.
Giving back to the local community
Lesley says that the most enjoyable part of The Shetland Sportswear Recycle Scheme is being able to redistribute clothing and footwear to those in need, “sometimes when I receive feedback to say they have been able to take part in some sort of physical activity, like walking with suitable trainers, swimming or taking part in PE you are so pleased to hear this and think that you have possibly helped make a small difference in somebody’s life”.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
“One of the biggest challenges I face is storage and finding somewhere that is accessible, dry and large enough to store boxes of stock. I have had to move stock on various occasions, which can be a bit of a challenge. Another challenge is running low on stock especially over Covid but the generosity of the Shetland people has been amazing and they always help with donations when I send out Donations Pleas”.
Feedback on the initiative
“One issue for anyone starting new in the gym or at any sporting activity is their perception of themselves and their wish to fit in – it is challenging for anyone to take those first steps into sport, but this can be hugely exacerbated for clients with additional stigmas”.
“Being able to access gym clothes helps individuals enormously as it allows them to ‘feel the part’, which in turn helps them to get through the front door, and into the gym.”
“Having used the clothes scheme, I have seen the right clothes help clients’ confidence grow enough to start their fitness journey.”
“Each of my clients have been impressed and delighted with the clothes that they have been given – they have been genuinely pleased with the quality of the items”.
“We as a service are hopeful that we can access money for sport on an ongoing basis, and therefore having access to the sportswear scheme remains important”.
Advice for others looking to start a similar scheme
“Lift the telephone and make the call. It is amazing the response and ripple effect of how people want to help you get started. Speak to colleagues in other services and start to build contacts.
Not only do you find that you can gather a lot of redistribution contacts but also it can help open other doors to supporting people get into sport and physical activities”.
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