A project that enables families to swap children’s and adults’ clothes, school uniforms and essential items has officially opened at the Priory Church in Wales School in Brecon, thanks to Green Man’s support.
Located in central Brecon at the Priory Church School, it will be open all year round and stocked with clothing, gym kits and many other essential items to help support the school community, as well as the wider Brecon community. It will also serve as a safe social space to access services and educational support for pupils and healthy breakfasts and snacks for the whole family.
The Brecon Community Swap Shop is housed in a shipping container that has been refurbished, furnished and fitted by the Green Man team. Decorated in the Green Man style with colourful murals and positive messages, it is designed to encourage positivity for those who use it and as a celebration of the Brecon community.
Claire Pugh, Headteacher of Priory Church in Wales School, explained the thinking behind The Swap Shop: “Brecon is one of the most deprived areas within Powys, and 37% of our children at Priory have free school meals, and we are witnessing increasing inequality caused by the growing wealth and age gap. The statistics are shocking: 23.4% of children live in poverty, 55% of adults are paid below the national average, 35% are over 60, which is 5% higher than the national average. There is very limited affordable housing or jobs which would appeal to young people, which is why so many are leaving. All of this compounds an increase in the climate crisis as poverty divides us and the climate crisis can only be averted if society and the environment thrive together.
“Considering the seriousness of this and the ever increasing cost of living, of course parents and carers on low incomes find it challenging to afford school uniforms and essential items. It is very tough financially for some in our community and we are seeing more children coming to school hungry, going to bed cold and increasing social and health problems which are the inevitable outcome of poverty.
“What we experience at Priory Church School is just a snapshot of the challenges hitting many rural areas in Powys. A well thought out strategy and action urgently needs to happen to stop this negative cycle and projects such as the Swap Shop are essential to start making that change.”
Claire added: “I want to thank the Green Man designers, artists, illustrators, painters, health and safety officers, engineers and carpenters who created something so magical and cool for our Brecon Community. Also the many festival attendees from all over the world that donate to the Green Man charity each year. The children and parents are going to love it, as a service but also because of the care and thought that has been put into it with them in mind by Green Man and of course Fi who directed the delivery of all of this.
“I also want to take this opportunity to thank Green Man and especially Fi. When you don’t have a lot you can feel passed over and worthless and that is something Fi totally gets. I heard her briefing the designers for the Swap Shop and she said “I want everyone who uses it to feel like a headliner.” Fi sees us, and cares she doesn’t have to but she chooses to anyway, the impact that creates is magic.
“I know I speak for many Welsh people when I say how proud we are of our Green Man. The first UK festival to sell out, third year running and it sold out in 60 minutes this time not bad for an independent Powys business. The Swap Shop is not the first project we have worked on together and is one of many community projects they have supported in Powys. We know from experience that the welcoming, caring, talented Wales Green Man presents to the world is a reality and Powys is part of that. We are lucky to have Green Man and even luckier for it to be part of our community here in Brecon.
“Finally, I have to say how gutted we were to lose Green Man from Gilestone Farm. The Swap Shop is one of many projects we planned to deliver and sadly the others are no longer possible now the farm has gone. The jobs, environment and charitable projects would have been transformative for Brecon and the wider community especially for young people and our future generations. It’s so frustrating that this nearly happened and there is no alternative project which would touch what was on offer when it delivered what was so clearly needed.
“Despite this we were all delighted that Green Man made sure that our beautiful Swap Shop is here to stay and the kettle will always be on for a cuppa and a chat for all in our community.”
