Category

• Promising Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Mitigation
• Awareness

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Poverty driver

• Provide benefit in-kind (material)

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Keywords

• Clothing
• Community Engagement
• Empowerment
• Sport
• Stigma

Aim

The main aim of Kit for All is to reduce barriers to sports and physical activity in the Shetland Islands. Subsidiary aims are:
• to offer an anonymous and welcoming service that is easy for people to approach.
• to reduce the stigma of pre-loved clothing and ensure the project is open and accessible to all ages.
• to promote environmental sustainability by reducing textile waste through reuse.

Summary

Kit for All was created to remove barriers to physical activity in the Shetland Islands, encouraging the community to donate sports clothes and outdoor wear to those in need. It has since expanded to deliver year-round, operating from clothing drop-off and collection pop-ups around the Islands to ensure the project is accessible. Kit for All also have sportswear boxes located in the sports areas of some schools, which allows students to get sportswear when they need to. In partnership with RSPB, they also run a winter drive which allows the community to donate warm outdoor clothing so that everyone has something to wear to enable them to enjoy the outdoors during the colder seasons.

What difference does it make?

The Kit for All project has had a significant positive impact on physical activity, social inclusion, and community well-being in the Shetland Islands. By providing free donated sports clothing, footwear, and outdoor wear, the project helps remove financial and social barriers that prevent people from participating in sports and recreational activities. This has been demonstrated through:

• Improved access to physical activity: The project enables children, young people, and adults to participate in sports, physical education (PE), swimming, walking, and outdoor activities without the added financial burden of purchasing suitable clothing and footwear.
• Greater social inclusion and equality: By providing essential sports equipment discreetly and voluntarily, the scheme reduces embarrassment and stigma associated with financial difficulties. It helps individuals and families feel included rather than excluded from community activities.
• Improved physical and mental well-being: Increased participation in sports and outdoor activities creates opportunities for exercise, social interaction, and improved overall well-being. For example, one individual was able to begin walking regularly after receiving a winter jacket and walking shoes.
• Support for children and families: Feedback from schools and frontline services indicates that the scheme has enabled children to attend PE classes, participate in sports competitions, and join football and rugby clubs. It has also encouraged younger children, particularly girls, to try new sports.
• Reduced financial pressure: The availability of donated clothing and footwear helps families manage the rising cost of living while ensuring that children and adults can access activities that might otherwise be unaffordable.
• Stronger community partnerships: Collaboration between Shetland Islands Council, schools, social workers, community organisations, and local events has increased awareness of the scheme and improved access to support, particularly in rural communities.
• Environmental sustainability: Reusing and redistributing sportswear and footwear reduces waste and extends the useful life of donated items, promoting more sustainable consumption within the community.
• Increased accessibility in rural areas: The expansion of donation and collection points across Shetland helps people in rural communities access suitable clothing and footwear, reducing geographical barriers to participation.

Overall, the Kit for All project continues to demonstrate how a community-led initiative can improve equality, inclusion, and well-being by addressing practical barriers to physical activity. More than 400 individuals collected sports or outdoor clothing and footwear in the last year, showing the scheme's reach and demand. Although its full impact is difficult to measure because collections are often anonymous, feedback from schools and frontline services shows that the support has made a real difference to people's ability to participate in sports, enjoy outdoor activities, and feel included in their communities. By combining social support with environmental sustainability, the project contributes to a healthier, more inclusive, and more connected Shetland community.

Kit for All is having an impact on poverty by breaking down the barriers to sport and physical activity access through making sports clothing accessible to all.

Key take-aways

• Pick up the phone and contact different partners for support.
• Spreading awareness through word of mouth is very beneficial for generating community support.
• If possible, access to different venues is beneficial, as donation points are helpful for those in need and make the project more widely accessible to rural community members.

 

Organisations

The Shetland Islands Council. RSPB support the organisation and delivery of the Outdoor Clothing Swap shop (annual event).

Location

Shetland Islands (throughout).

Winter 2016.

Contact