York City Football Club Foundation is asking residents to help more young people take part in sport.
The foundation’s Changing Room Project redistributes quality, outgrown sports clothing to families across the city.
With many struggling to afford the basics needed for sport participation, the movement aims to completely remove clothing as a barrier for children’s sport.
The foundation, which uses the power of football to support and engage the York community, launched the project in 2023.
It was a response to the cost of living crisis.
A successful first year saw more than 53kg of sportswear redistributed, and 195 families supported through free and welcoming swap-shop events.
Thanks to the generosity of the public, there are now 20 donation points across York, hosted by trusted partners including schools, grassroots clubs, businesses and leisure centres.
Each collection bin has its own name, and personality, in order to make them more visible and memorable for families and children.
For the second year, the foundation aims to expand the network to 25 hosts, increase access for families, and deliver four community swap-shop events across York. These would take place in Summer, Autumn, and Spring.
Community kindness
Steph Askel, Inclusion Officer at York City FC Foundation, said, “The best part of this project is seeing the impact first-hand at our Changing Room events.
“I’ve met families who are genuinely moved that something so simple can make such a big difference.
“There’s no sense of greed, families take exactly what they need and often ask if it’s really free. It’s a reminder of how powerful community kindness can be.”
Whilst supporting children’s participation in sport, The Changing Room Project promotes sustainability by encouraging reuse, the reduction of waste, and supporting a circular economy approach.
How to get involved
The project accepts a wide range of good-quality items, including boots, trainers, shorts, hoodies, tracksuits, shin pads, T-shirts, and footballs.
Outgrown or unwanted sports items can be donated at any of the Foundation’s blue branded bins. These include:
- Bernard at York City FC Foundation Office, York Community Stadium (YO32 9AF) Monday – Friday 9:30am – 4:30pm
- Bob at Vangarde Shopping Park (YO32 9AE) Monday – Saturday 8am – 8pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm
- Beatrice at Energise Leisure Centre (YO24 3DX) Monday – Friday, 6:30am – 9:30pm, Saturday – Sunday 8am – 6pm
- Buster at Burnholme Sports Centre (YO31 0HA) Monday – Friday, 7am – 9pm, Saturday – Sunday, 8am – 4pm