New clothing is always needed
With 1 in 5 children in Edinburgh living in poverty, we need your generous donations now more than ever. We are currently appealing for winter warmers such as hats, gloves and socks, as well as school essentials like jumpers, polo shirts and joggers.
Please shop our online wishlist where you can choose anything from a pack of socks to a warm jumper – it will be sent directly to us.
Donate today to help children across the city go to school warm and dry, fitting in with their peers, and ready to learn and play.
Alternatively you can donate funds to support our work.
Donating pre-loved items
We have changed the way we work with preloved uniform. Instead of collecting and distributing preloved items ourselves, we can support school communities to run their own preloved initiatives so that uniform is re-worn locally. This could be a swap shop, a sharing rail, a thrift store or another way of extending the life of clothing while making items available locally in a non-stigmatising way. We are developing guidance on best practice, and schools/PTAs are welcome to contact us to discuss how we can help.
We no longer accept donations via drop-off baskets in shops and libraries across the city. Parents and carers who have good quality preloved items should offer them to their local school instead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about donating uniform
Can I drop off pre-loved uniform items at public collection points for ESUB?
No. Edinburgh School Uniform Bank no longer operates public drop-off baskets. We do not accept donations of preloved items. To keep pre-loved clothing in local circulation, we encourage families to donate second-hand items directly to local school swap schemes across the city.
How can I donate brand-new uniform items to ESUB?
You can purchase brand-new uniform items directly through our online wishlist. They are delivered straight to our team, who are always delighted to open parcels of donated items and get them out to local children and young people.
Can I donate new items in-person?
We only accept in-person donations of new items by arrangement. We are a very small team with limited space, so please don’t be offended if we say No Thankyou to the items you wish to donate – we might simply not have space for them. To find out more, please email us.
Why does ESUB provide brand-new clothing rather than preloved?
Every child deserves to feel included, valued, and confident when stepping into the classroom. Many of the young people referred to us are living in extreme hardship. Providing brand-new, well-fitting uniform and footwear supports dignity, boosts self-esteem, and removes the stigma often associated with hardship. One wee girl who received a new coat said “Does that mean it will have my name in it instead of someone else’s?”
What items are most needed right now?
The demand for items varies with the time of year and many other factors. Please check our live online wishlist for an up-to-date list of current priority sizes and items.
Can my business, school, or community group run a collection drive for ESUB?
Yes! Corporate partners, schools, and community groups can host a virtual donation drive using our online wishlist, or organize a fundraising appeal to help us purchase high-need items in bulk. We also love in-kind donations from work teams and community groups, but please email us first to check what items we need at the moment.
What difference will my donation make?
Your donation of new clothing could be the difference between a child going into school with their head held high or staying away. With your help, we boost children and young people’s confidence, inclusion, attendance, engagement, participation and wellbeing.
“It takes a village to raise a child” – Do you want to be part of that village?
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