In a move that will shock absolutely no one, two mums have decided that parents shouldn't have to remortgage their homes just to clothe their children for school. Bex and Faye, friends of a decade, have set up the Tavistock Uniform Swap Shop in Devon, where families can donate outgrown uniforms and pick up new-to-them items, all for the princely sum of absolutely nothing.

Their first stall at Tavistock Library on Thursday was a hit, attracting three 'huge boxes' of uniforms from local school lost property and half a dozen bags from the community. The haul included branded and unbranded jumpers, shirts, skirts, dresses, wet weather gear, shoes, lunchboxes, and trousers - basically everything except the kitchen sink, though we wouldn't rule that out for the next event.

Bex, who works at a nursery, noted that parents and guardians are 'in the same situation' - i.e., broke - and that the swap helps both wallets and the planet by keeping clothes out of landfills. Visitors were reportedly 'shocked' that everything was free and no donation was required to swap. Yes, in this economy, free is a shocking concept.

This grassroots effort comes just in time for a new Department for Education law in England, effective September, which caps branded school items at three per child plus a tie for secondary students. This follows a government estimate that a quarter of secondary schools still required four or more branded items last year. Bex called the cap a 'relief' but noted it depends on which items schools choose to brand. She wisely predicts that if the cost of living keeps climbing, we'll need to push for even fewer logos.

Faye, a retail supervisor and mum of two, pointed out that uniforms can set families back about £60 per child, and that's before kids lose or dirty them mid-year, necessitating re-purchases. The swap helps families 'not worrying so much about how they're going to get their school uniforms.'

Bex also highlighted the sustainability angle, noting that while recycling centres take clothing, that doesn't get it back to families. Universal items like grey trousers, dresses, and whites are especially valuable for reuse across any school.

The Tavistock event was deemed a 'success' with more than half the initial stock claimed and a flood of inquiries about the next swap, planned for the end of summer holidays. If feedback remains positive, it could become an annual affair. Because apparently, kids will keep growing, and parents will keep needing a break.