We’re thrilled to announce that VYD has teamed up with Smarter Uniforms to bring affordable, sustainable football kits to families in Brighton & Hove and beyond! Known for helping parents save big on school uniforms, Smarter Uniforms is now expanding its mission to include second-hand football kits and boots. This year alone, they’ve saved local families a whopping £12,800 on school clothing costs and kept over 1,300 items out of landfill—a true game-changer for the environment and family budgets alike.
Bringing Football Within Reach for Every Child
The new sports section on the Smarter Uniforms Marketplace makes it simple for families and clubs to buy and sell quality pre-loved football gear and boots. Not only can parents save money by shopping for affordable kits, but they can also earn some cash by passing on outgrown items to other families. It’s a sustainable win-win that strengthens the local community and extends the life of good-quality gear! Alternatively, people can donate to VYD so we can sell on their behalf, with the money raised going towards sustaining our Crew Club Hawks, VYD Youth project in Whitehawk
As Jo-Anne, a local parent and long-time Smarter Uniforms user, puts it, “Saving money and the environment at the same time is so fulfilling—it’s a real win-win. I wish all areas had a local ‘Smarter Uniforms’! Thoroughly recommend it.”
A Helping Hand for Families
For many families, the cost of sports gear can be a barrier to participation. Marie, a family key worker from the Whitehawk Family Hub, shares that “Smarter Uniforms has been a lifeline for families in financial crisis. We’ve seen so many parents benefit from accessing good-quality second-hand uniforms and now, with the addition of football kits, it’s only getting better.”
With the stats from Recycle Now showing that around 49% of unwanted textiles end up in the trash each year—an average of 35 items per person—Smarter Uniforms is part of the solution. Keeping football kits and other gear in play for longer helps families and makes a positive environmental impact.
Building a Greener, More Affordable Future
Anna, Service Manager for Smarter Uniforms, explains, “Since 2017, we’ve been on a mission to make school uniforms affordable for families. Expanding into football kits feels like a natural next step, one that has incredible potential to make a difference for local families and communities.”
Gary Pleece, VYD’s owner, agrees. “This partnership with Smarter Uniforms is all about making life a little easier for families. It’s a win all around—for families, for VYD, and for the environment.”
Ready to join the movement? Visit the Smarter Uniforms Marketplace and start selling or buying your outgrown school uniforms and sports kits today at smarteruniforms.org
