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Trending
Trending was an innovative clothing bank that provided free, high-quality clothing to people across Middlesbrough, helping them access employment, education and training opportunities, while also offering everyday clothing to those experiencing financial hardship.
Where?
Middlesbrough
Age Range:
N/A
Funded By:
Talent Match Middlesbrough Innovation Fund, Financial Inclusion Group (FIG) & the National Lottery Community Fund
About The Project
Trending was an award-winning clothing bank that provided high-quality free clothing to people across Middlesbrough. Established by Actes Trust with funding from Talent Match Middlesbrough's Innovation Fund and Middlesbrough's Financial Inclusion Group, the project was designed to challenge the stigma often associated with receiving clothing donations. Its success later attracted support from the National Lottery Community Fund.
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Carefully located away from the town centre to provide a discreet and welcoming environment, Trending enabled people to access support without feeling exposed or judged. The shop was intentionally designed to look and feel like a boutique rather than a traditional clothes bank, helping create a positive and dignified shopping experience for everyone who visited.
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Donated clothing was washed, ironed and prepared to a high standard before being made available free of charge. Through the boutique-style store and its accompanying Facebook presence, individuals could browse and choose items in much the same way they would from a high street or online retailer.
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The project supplied free formal clothing and workwear to help people prepare for employment, education and training opportunities, while also providing everyday clothing to those experiencing financial hardship. By combining practical support with dignity, choice and a positive shopping experience, Trending helped remove barriers that might otherwise have prevented people from accessing the clothing they needed.
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Project Partners and Funders
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Supporting People Into Employment
Trending played an important role in supporting the wider work of Actes Trust's employment and skills programmes, including Talent Match Middlesbrough and New Directions. Many of the young people taking part in these projects faced financial barriers that made it difficult to attend interviews, start work placements or begin employment. A lack of suitable interview clothing, workwear or smart clothing could often undermine confidence and become a practical obstacle to securing opportunities. By working closely with project advocates and caseworkers, Trending helped remove these barriers.
As well as providing clothing support, Trending created volunteering opportunities for local people looking to gain work experience, develop workplace skills and build confidence. Several volunteers were supported through placements within the project, helping them move closer to education, training and employment.
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Community Reach
Although originally developed with support from Talent Match Middlesbrough, Trending quickly grew into a valued community resource accessed by a wide range of individuals and organisations, including kinship carers, community projects, social care services and other local support agencies. Its success demonstrated the demand for a service that combined practical support with dignity and choice.
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In addition to operating from its Middlesbrough base, Trending increased its reach through'Trending on Wheels', a programme of community pop-up shops and outreach stalls delivered in neighbourhoods including Newport, Grove Hill and North Ormesby. The project also attended local events and community initiatives throughout the year, helping raise awareness, collect donations and bring clothing support directly to people who may not otherwise have engaged with the service.
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Through this combination of a permanent boutique-style clothing bank and regular community outreach, Trending distributed thousands of items of clothing and became a trusted source of practical support for local people facing financial hardship, seeking employment or rebuilding their confidence.​
Award Winning
In 2017, Trending was recognised nationally when it won the Community Development Award at the Royal Society for Public Health Awards. The project was later shortlisted for a North East Young People's Award in the Social Action category, recognising its innovative approach to tackling clothing poverty and promoting dignity for those accessing support.
Actes Trust Impact
Over 1,000 local people accessed essential clothing through Trending
Winner of the 2017 Community Development Award at the Royal Society for Public Health Awards.
Approximately 5,000 items of clothing distributed, supporting people into employment, education and everyday life.