A Glossopdale group's series of summer 'pop-up' school uniform shops have proved a great success.

The Hummingbird Hubs, which supports people affected by poverty, homelessness and austerity, have held three events throughout August - two at Victoria Hall in Glossop and the other at Cafe Jericho in Gamesley. 

The aim of them was to allow parents to swap their child's uniforms for the next size up ready for the new academic year in September. 

In total, around 700 people attended the three events and approximately 5,000 items of uniform, shoes and coats have been re-gifted to the community - as well as over 1,000 toys and books which have been donated to local children. 

There was another fantastic turnout for Sunday's event at the old Glossop library at Victoria Hall.

Jo Gregory, from The Hummingbird Hubs, said: "An enormous thanks to our awesome volunteers from all three events. I simply couldn't do this without you all. 

"Thanks to Councillors Ollie Cross and Damien Greenhalgh for your support with our events. 

"We hope everyone has enjoyed our events. All leftover logo'd uniform will be distributed to relevant schools and the non logo'd uniform will go to New Mills and Chapel for their uniform events next week, as well as being kept aside for incoming refugee families." 

Jo (left) with some of the volunteers who helped 

Padfield borough councillor and High Peak deputy mayor Ollie Cross described what The Hummingbird Hubs have done as a 'phenomenal achievement'. 

He said: "A massive thank you to Jo, Pam and the team for brilliantly organising the Swap Shop events and to every single volunteer who has kindly helped out in any way, shape or form. As well as a big shout out to the Friends of Victoria Hall who kindly offered their premise entirely free of charge once again." 

Cllr Greenhalgh, county councillor for Glossop and Charlesworth and deputy leader of High Peak Borough Council, commented: "What they have done is really, really remarkable. I want to give a massive shout-out to everyone who has been involved in these events. It's been really beneficial to the community and people like this make Glossop and the High Peak the place it is." 

The next Uniform Swap Shop will take place in January 2022.

In the meantime, The Hummingbird Hubs is looking for premises to continue their community work - which includes running a 24/7 community clothing bank, Christmas gift appeals, and supporting incoming refugees as well as those living in refugee hotspots across Europe. 

Cllr Greenhalgh added: "I had a really good chat with Jo. There's many things we're going to take up. We're going to look at trying to find somewhere for their operations to continue - looking at a sort of free shop, maybe like a food bank but for a clothes bank." 

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