A school uniform recycling hub has been launched by local homelessness charity Emmaus Salford with support from Guinness Partnership and Sal’s Shoes.
The Emmaus Salford School Uniform Hub will collect and redistribute school uniforms and shoes to children living in Salford.
The hub aims to reduce the number of good quality clothes and shoes going to landfill, whilst providing items to families in need free of charge, and has been launched with initial funding from Guinness Partnership and support from local and national partners including Sal’s Shoes, SOCKSHOP and Tesco.
Emmaus Salford supports 22 formerly homeless people by providing a stable home, meaningful work and individual support for as long as they need it, and the new School Uniform Hub will be run by beneficiaries of the charity.
It will enable them to gain skills and experience whilst supporting local families in need.
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Speaking on the launch of the new hub, Rachel Richardson – Community Director at Emmaus Salford – said: “We are delighted to be launching our new School Uniform Hub in the summer holidays, ready for the new school year starting in September.”
“There are so many local families struggling to make ends meet and as kids outgrow their uniforms and shoes.”
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“Replacing these items can be expensive [but] our new hub will offer a range of new and used good quality items to families referred to us by Salford Citizen’s Advice Bureau and local schools.”
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Catriona Simons – Group Chief Executive of The Guinness Partnership – added: “So many families struggle to buy essentials such as children’s shoes and school uniforms, so we welcome the chance to partner with Sal’s Shoes and Emmaus to ensure that children don’t go without, and don’t feel self-conscious about not having the things that some of their classmates will be able to take for granted.”
“The hub will stock shirts, sweatshirts, skirts, trousers, socks, pumps, shoes and PE tops.”
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“Most of the items will be sourced from collection points and lost property at local schools and individual donations. Tesco Extra in Swinton has donated sets of new school uniforms and legwear retailer, SOCKSHOP, has donated a brand-new batch of children’s socks.”
“Footwear will be supplied by Sal’s Shoes – a charity that redistributes outgrown but not outworn shoes to children in desperate need [and] since 2013, Sal’s Shoes has provided over two million pairs of pre-loved children’s shoes in 46 countries around the world.”
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CJ Bowry – Founder of Sal’s Shoes – said: “There are 4.2 million children living in poverty in the U.K. That’s nine children in a classroom of 30 [and] with one in 10 families going further into debt to pay for children’s school clothes, we’re delighted to be able to help foot the bill for children in need in Salford.”
In addition to the new School Uniform Hub, Emmaus Salford also operates three charity stores in the city as well as Lucie’s Pantry social supermarket.
The charity’s social enterprise activities provide valuable work and training opportunities to formerly homeless people, whilst offering essential products and services to housed individuals and families at risk of homelessness.
For more information and to find out how you can offer your support, visit the Emmaus Salford website here.
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Swinton women’s Lionesses rebrand is officially off the ground
Danny Jones
Following an initial announcement late last year, local rugby club Swinton Lions’ women’s team has finally and fully rebranded as Manchester Swinton Lionesses.
The Salford-founded rugby league club, whose men’s team competes in the RFL Championship, has a long and rich competitive history, as well as a fervent male and female following in the area.
As one of the most important and well-established outfits in women’s rugby, Swinton Lions have not only officially relaunched as the Lionesses from 2026 onwards, but are looking to re-establish themselves as their own entity and a competitive powerhouse capable of competing at the top level.
In case you hadn’t heard about the rebrand up until now, you can get a closer look at changes not only to the name but the club crest and more.
As you can see, not only is the shift towards Manchester rather than just strictly Swinton a concerted effort to broaden the supporter base across all 10 boroughs, but there are some key tweaks to the new Lionesses badge.
Changing the design of the lion logo itself – as well as citing 2020 as a key date in this rebirth (i.e. the short-lived push to be renamed the ‘Manchester Lions’), which is more than half a decade in the making – they’re heading into the new year with both a new name and a slightly new look.
Just as reported by the likes of sports journalist Johnny Davidson back in November, however, the title and insignia have been a long time coming.
As per a press release by the club at the time, besides new kits and some key admin, “This evolution is about more than a new name or logo; it’s about creating a platform for women and girls across Greater Manchester to be inspired, to belong, and to believe they can achieve greatness in our sport.”
They insist that the aim is to be a “progressive club that’s proud of its history but unafraid to innovate”, also looking to attract new investors and commercial partners – such as Superfly Sports Flags, which will now appear on the likes of players’ shorts and boot bags, as well as around Heywood Road.
'The Swinton Lionesses today proudly announced the launch of their new identity – the Manchester Swinton Lionesses – marking an exciting new chapter not only for women’s rugby league but for the evolution and ambition of one of the sport’s most historic clubs.
Women’s captain Sammi Simpson went on to state: “We’re so proud of what this team has achieved in such a short time, and this next step feels like a natural evolution.
“Wearing ‘Manchester Swinton Lionesses’ on our shirts will remind us of where we’ve come from — and how far we can go together. We want to inspire the next generation of players, supporters, and families to be part of something special.”
Even Mayor Andy Burnham has expressed his excitement, adding: “Manchester is a city built on sport, strength, and community — and the Manchester Swinton Lionesses embody all of that.
“This new identity is a powerful statement about where women’s rugby league is heading and the role Greater Manchester will play in shaping that future.”
As any rugby fan will know, this isn’t the only rebirth of a local sporting institution currently taking place over in Salford.
New landmark chickenpox vaccine begins UK rollout to protect thousands of children
Emily Sergeant
A new landmark chickenpox vaccine is beginning its rollout across the UK in a bid to help protect hundreds of thousands of children.
Chickenpox is a common infection in children that spreads easily.
It is usually mild but it can lead to serious complications which need hospitalisation, including chest infections and fits. The latest Government data indicates that half of children will contract chickenpox by the age of four, and 90% by the age of 10.
Currently, children who catch chickenpox are typically advised to stay off school until all spots have formed a scab – which is usually five days after the spots appear.
But now, this new vaccine will mean children can miss fewer days in nursery or school, and reduce time parents need to take off work to care for them.
Hundreds of thousands of young children are now being offered the chickenpox protection as part of routine NHS childhood vaccinations.
The combined vaccine adds chickenpox protection to the existing measles, mumps and rubella schedule.
Surprisingly, it’s estimated that around £24 million is lost in income and productivity every year in the UK due to childhood chickenpox, so not only will the new vaccine rollout save money this way, but it is also expected to save the NHS a whopping £15 million a year in costs for treating the common condition.
The new vaccine comes following a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations – with a combined MMRV vaccine replacing the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox (varicella).
From now on, GP practices on the NHS will start to offer children the combined MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months of age.
Dr Claire Fuller, who is the National Medical Director for NHS England, called the rollout a ‘hugely positive moment’ for children and their families.
“From now, the combined vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox will be available at children’s routine vaccination appointments to keep children healthier and prevent sickness from these highly contagious viruses,” commented Dr Fuller.
“The new vaccine will also help the health service move its focus from sickness to prevention, and keep more children safe and in school.”
Featured Image – Jonny McCullagh (via Wikimedia Commons)
Emily Sergeant -
10th August 2020 
