Gladrags are a unique, creative, eco-minded charity providing costumes to youth and community projects, schools and colleges, amateur and fringe arts. By providing affordable costume hire, they resource activities that are educational, that entertain communities or that support wellbeing. They subsidise all this through the hire and resale of our outfits to the general public, from historical reenactments to fancy dress.  

These activities support outreach projects that offer programs that support children with special educational needs to workshops sharing their sewing and craft skills within the community, using our donated, adapted and recycled stock. Which endows young people with educational practical skills and promotes emotional wellbeing, additionally inspiring creativity which encourages teamwork and promotes self-esteem.

Their work is enabled by a diverse community of volunteers, providing opportunities for people with a range of learning and support needs, tailoring roles to their interests and aspirations, providing training and supported work placements within the organisation that support their pathway into traineeships and employment.

Gladrags is founded on the ethos of the re-use and recycling of clothing and materials, and this is reflected within their sewing workshops; their donated and repurposed stock -  which additionally encourages a circular fashion ethos in sharing community resources. They provide the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to engage with unique costumes and props which contributes to improved communication and social interaction skills, in particular for learners with complex needs.

They also run a re-cycling and rehoming scheme for costumes and fabrics and use their skills and expertise into the community, with sewing, dress-up and storytelling activities for children as well as reminiscence sessions with older people.