Words by Smiley Team
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Many children in the UK are suffering because they don’t have clean clothes to wear at school. According to a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, children are facing the highest poverty rate in the UK in the last 20 years.
This is a problem that Smol – a company selling eco-friendly, vegan laundry, dishwash and surface sprays – is trying to solve.
Many children are regularly missing school for lack of a clean uniform, they say, and 8 in 10 primary school teachers say they have witnessed a rise in the number of children attending school unwashed or wearing unclean uniform in the last 5 years and have found themselves intervening at an increasing rate.
Smol’s idea is to create “mini-launderettes” in schools that need them. They want to provide a washing machine and dryer and all the detergent they need to ensure no child in their care has to suffer from the consequences of not having clean clothes or uniforms.
The company recently set up its very first washing machine in a primary school in Blackpool, and it’s already having a big impact.
Sarah Smith, executive headteacher at St Cuthberts Catholic Academy in Blackpool, said: “Parents drop off a load of washing in a bag and pop back an hour later. As word spreads, we think it will really be a popular string to our support service package to families.
“Families who struggle to afford a trip to the laundrette can now engage in a stress and cost-free activity. Hygiene poverty is one step clothes to being reduced.”
Smol smashed its £10,000 target in just three hours and burst through £25,000 in just 25 hours. The company has now stretched the target to £50,000.
Each school will be set up with a brand new washing machine and dryer, fully installed, and all the detergent they need completely free of charge.
However, the company needs help to raise funds so that they can start creating multiple mini-launderettes in schools across the country during 2022. There are two ways you can help:
1. Pledge your support, for every £800 raised we can set up the suds in school project in a school.
“Donations of any size are gratefully received, and we’ve added some smol treats as a way of saying a big thank you,” says Smol. “Smol will be supplying free capsules to accompany all machines. Your donation goes straight into buying and installing washing machines/dryers in schools.”
2. Nominate a school that needs our help
“Perhaps you belong to a school that would benefit?” they add. “If so, please email us at [email protected] putting the suds in schools reference in the subject line.”
Find out more about Suds in Schools and donate to the crowdfunder to help them reach their target.
Could you make this happen in your community? Be part of the change. Or, if you, or someone you know, has launched a crowdfunding social enterprise project, email [email protected].
