How Upsized Works
Upsized CIC is Wetherby’s community children’s clothing swap and circular fashion hub. Our goal is simple: make it easier and cheaper for families to dress growing children, reduce textile waste, and support local good causes. Here’s exactly how the process works—from donating outgrown items to taking home great-quality clothes in the next size up.
At a Glance
- Donate quality children’s clothing you no longer need.
- Get tokens as a thank you (used to swap at events).
- Book a collection slot for doorstep pickup or drop off at one of our pop‑ups.
- Come to the event with your tokens and swap for what you need.
- Top up with low‑cost extras if you want more than your tokens cover.
- Support the project by becoming a £10/month subscriber to keep it running.
Why Families Love Upsized
New clothes are expensive and children grow fast. By swapping, families save money, reduce clutter, and keep quality garments in use for longer. We prioritise clean, good‑condition items and run regular, friendly events that feel more like a local market than a jumble sale. As a Community Interest Company, any surplus is reinvested to grow the service, fund community initiatives, and keep costs fair.
Step 1: Gather What You No Longer Need
Start by sorting through drawers and wardrobes for items your child has outgrown. We accept most children’s clothing from newborn through teen sizes, along with coats, shoes, and accessories (hats, gloves, school uniform basics). Please make sure everything is clean, stain‑free, and in good condition—if you’d happily receive it yourself, it’s ideal for Upsized.
We can’t accept: damaged, torn, badly stained, or underwear/socks without tags. This keeps quality high for everyone.
Step 2: Book a Collection (or Plan a Drop‑off)
Use our online diary to secure a doorstep collection at a time that suits you. You can also bring donations to one of our pop‑up events. Doorstep collections are convenient if you’ve a lot to donate or can’t get into town easily.
Step 3: Donate & Receive Tokens
When we receive your donation, we sort and quality‑check it. For fair swapping we issue tokens based on what you’ve given. Think of tokens as a simple, cash‑free way to “spend” on swap day. As a guide, a standard donation earns a token bundle that covers a typical refresh (for example, a few tops, a jumper, and a pair of trousers in the next size up).
Tip: The better the quality and the more seasonal the items, the more useful they are to the community—and the more tokens you’ll typically receive.
Step 4: Come to the Event & Swap
Events are carefully laid out by size and category so you can find what you need quickly. Bring your tokens (digital or printed) and exchange them for items you love. Volunteers are on hand to help with sizes, outfit pairing, and advice on what’s most popular right now.
- Simple pricing: most items cost one token, with premium pieces (e.g. winter coats) priced at two tokens.
- Top‑up options: low‑cost add‑ons are available if you’d like more items than your tokens cover.
- Quality first: everything on the rails is pre‑checked for good condition, so you can swap with confidence.
Step 5: Keep the Circle Turning
Children grow, seasons change, and wardrobes evolve. When your child outgrows today’s haul, donate again and repeat the cycle. Every time you swap, you’re saving money, cutting waste, and helping other local families do the same. That’s the heart of the circular wardrobe.
Optional: Become a Monthly Supporter (£10/month)
If you believe in what we’re building, consider a small monthly contribution. Supporters help cover venue hire, sorting equipment, storage, and outreach—so we can run more frequent collections and bigger events. As a thank you, supporters enjoy early‑access booking and occasional bonus token bundles.
What We Do with Surplus & Unclaimed Items
Not every donated item will be swapped immediately. We rotate stock across sizes and seasons, and we responsibly handle surplus. Good‑quality items may be held for the next event, directed to partner organisations (e.g. family support groups), or sold inexpensively to fund operations. Anything unsuitable for reuse is recycled, not binned.
Fees, Tokens & Fairness
At each event, there’s a simple £7 trade fee for anyone taking items home. This helps cover venue costs and keeps the swap system running. Your swap value comes from the tokens you earned when donating — the more and better-quality items you donated, the more you can take.
Some items sit in higher tiers (for example: supermarket → high street → sports brand → designer). If you choose something above your token tier, there’s a small top-up to keep things fair and consistent:
- Moving up one tier costs £9
- Moving up two tiers costs £9 + £14
- Moving up three tiers costs £9 + £14 + £19
Most families only pay the £7 trade fee, but the top-ups help us balance fairness, recognise quality, and keep great items accessible to everyone.
Impact You Can See
Upsized exists to make a measurable difference. On our impact page we publish real‑time stats: items kept in circulation, kilograms of textiles diverted from landfill, participation across Wetherby and surrounding villages, and funds channelled into community aims such as a future youth hub.
How We Keep Quality High
- Careful sorting: every piece is checked for condition.
- Seasonal curation: rails are stocked with what families need now.
- Clear labelling: sizes and categories are easy to browse.
- Feedback loop: we listen to what parents ask for and adjust future collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to donate to attend?
No—everyone is welcome. If you haven’t donated yet or need more than your tokens cover, you can use low‑cost top‑ups at the event.
What if I can’t make the event after donating?
Your tokens carry over to future events. You can also authorise a friend or family member to use them on your behalf.
Is everything second‑hand?
Mostly, yes—and that’s the point. You’ll often find items in “as new” condition, with occasional new‑with‑tags donations. All stock is checked to be presentable and ready to wear.
Where does my money go?
Upsized is a Community Interest Company. Any surplus is reinvested into running more collections, improving equipment, supporting volunteers, and expanding to serve more families.
Can I volunteer?
Absolutely. Volunteers help with sorting, set‑up, greeting families, and keeping the rails tidy. It’s a great way to meet people and make a visible difference in the community. Get in touch.
Our Promise
Fair, friendly, and transparent. We’ll always prioritise quality, affordability, and dignity. Upsized is here to make family life easier and kinder to the planet.
Next Steps
- Sort a bag of clean, good‑condition children’s clothes.
- Book a doorstep collection or plan a drop‑off.
- Receive your tokens after quality check.
- Come to the next event and swap for what you need.
- Consider £10/month support to help Upsized grow.
If you’d like the full story behind the project, read About Upsized, or message us via Contact. We can’t wait to see you at the next Wetherby swap!