Reloved Boutique raises £4,500 for local charities

Reloved Boutique, Barnsley College’s sustainable education hub and preloved clothing shop, has donated its first academic year of profits to Barnsley Hospice and Barnsley Mencap. 

Since opening in November 2024, the boutique has raised more than £4,500, which has now been handed over to the two local charities. Both organisations hold strong connections to the Reloved Boutique community, making the donations especially meaningful for students and staff. 

The boutique is run by Barnsley College’s Learning for Living and Work department and operates as a not-for-profit, immersive classroom. It provides students with additional needs the chance to gain practical experience in a real retail environment while promoting sustainability and circular economy practices. From serving customers to managing social media, students are developing vital employability skills, all while making a positive impact in their community. 

Jayne Armstrong, Business Development Manager for Local Mencap Barnsley, said: “We provide activities for adults with disabilities, so to receive donations from a shop run by young adults with disabilities, helping us continue our work, is just amazing. 

“The students and staff behind this shop make the donation even more special. The money will fund activities like baking, crafting and theatre, helping us buy new equipment. This shop is a wonderful idea – it’s what the world needs more of. These students have so much potential, they just need more opportunities to show it.” 

Vicky Stead, Community Relationships Manager for Barnsley Hospice, said: “It’s been really lovely having students involved in raising donations for us. People often associate the hospice with end of life care, and while this is an important part of our services, the hospice is truly about helping people live as well as possible. To see young people supporting us and learning about what we actually do is brilliant.

“It means so much to receive donations like this – without fundraising and financial support from our community, the hospice simply wouldn’t exist. Support like this is amazing, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved.”