Southport's 1st community Uniform & Coat Swap comes to Southport Market this August

THE Hearth Network CIC is launching Swish & Stitch, a series of 6 free community clothes swaps at Southport Market, starting on:- Sunday, 9 August 2026, with a family Uniform & Coat Swap.

Running from:- 10.30 am to 2 pm, the event invites families across Sefton to bring outgrown school uniforms and coats to swap for others their children need. It is free to attend and open to anyone, whether or not they have items to bring.

The initiative responds to a growing local concern. Research from the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority shows Sefton households throw away more than 11 kilos of clothing per household per year; the equivalent of roughly 15 pairs of jeans; with 3/4 of that being clothing and shoes. Much of this could be reused rather than sent to landfill or incineration.

Rebecca Armstrong, Project Lead at The Hearth Network, said:- "This event is about community as much as clothes. It's a chance for Southport parents to help each other back to School, to keep clothing out of landfill, and to have a warm Sunday morning at the market together; with a coffee, a chat, and a shared purpose. Every uniform donated is one less family worrying about September."

Swish & Stitch is delivered in partnership with Southport Market, Enhance Events, and the Uniform Hub (Compassion Acts) at the Victoria Centre in Southport. Any items not taken on the day will go to the Uniform Hub to support Sefton families year-round.

A spokesperson for Southport Market said:- "We are proud to support Swish and Stitch and the Uniform Hub. With many families facing increasing costs, events like this provide practical support for families and help ensure good quality clothing stays in use rather than going to waste. We're proud to provide a welcoming space for initiatives that make a real difference in our community."

The event is funded by the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority's Zero Waste Community Fund 2026�27 as part of a broader Sefton-wide push to reduce textile waste. Southport Learning Trust is also supporting the project, sharing details across its schools and family communities.

Event details

� What:- Swish & Stitch Uniform and Coat Swap.

� When:- Sunday, 9 August 2026, 10.30 am to 2 pm,

� Where:- Southport Market.

� Cost:- Free,

� Suitable for:- Families with children of any School age.

� Website:- HearthNetwork.Co.UK

How it works

� 10.30 am to 11.30 am:- Drop off clean, good quality uniform items at the welcome desk.

� 11.30 am to 12 pm:- Enjoy a coffee or breakfast in the market's foodhall while the team sorts the rails.

� 12 pm to 2 pm:- Browse and take home what your family needs.

Anyone welcome; no items required to attend.

Any leftovers on the day will go to the Uniform Hub, at the Victoria Centre, in Southport, which supports Sefton families year round.

About The Hearth Network CIC

The Hearth Network is a Southport-based Community Interest Company dedicated to making the town greener, kinder and more connected. Swish and Stitch is its flagship textile-waste-reduction project for:- 2026 to 2027, delivered across Sefton with funding, from:- the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority's Zero Waste Community Fund.

The full Swish & Stitch calendar

6 themed community swaps run from:- August 2026 to February 2027, at Southport Market. Free entry to all events:-

� Sunday 9 August 2026 - Uniform and Coat Swap (10.30 am to 2 pm)

� Wednesday 16 September 2026 - Equinox Swap (5 pm to 9 pm)

� Wednesday 14 October 2026 - Black Cat Swap (alt fashion & vintage, 5 pm to 9 pm)

� Wednesday 4 November 2026 - The Big Denim Swap (5 pm to 9 pm)

� Wednesday 20 January 2027 - Curve Swap (inclusive sizing, 5 pm to 9 pm)

� Wednesday 17 February 2027 - Showstopper Swap (prom, evening, bridal, 1 pm to 9 pm)

Southport Freemasons raise incredible �42,000 for Queenscourt Hospice with 22 mile Liverpool to Southport walk

A group of Southport Freemasons walked over:- 22 miles, from:- Liverpool to Southport, on:- Saturday, 25 July 2026, to raise:- �42,000 for Queenscourt Hospice.

The walkers included the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews and his wife Debbie.

The determined fundraisers walked 22.5 miles from the:- Liverpool Masonic Hall on Duke Street in Liverpool City Centre, down into the Town to Pier Head, and along the Dock Road past Everton Football Club's Hill Dickinson Stadium.

They then followed the scenic Sefton coastline coast through:- Waterloo, Hall Road, Hightown, Formby then on to Ainsdale and finally to their magnificent Southport Masonic Hall on the corner of Duke Street and King Street in Southport.

Following the walk, the walkers enjoyed light refreshments and delicious fish and chip dinners kindly donated by the award winning Chippy 'T' on Ovington Drive in Kew, Southport.

This was all done in aid of the Queenscourt Hospice, which is in desperate need of donations.

In April, Queenscourt Hospice announced that it will be reducing its in-patient ward from ten to five beds, as it continues to face financial uncertainty.

The news comes just four weeks after the Hospice stated that it was being forced to consider reducing the vital services it provides for patients, as it continues to operate with a �2 million deficit.

Phil Stock, the Chairman of the Southport Masonic Group asked Richard Jenkinson, Vice-Chairman and Paul Dwan to set up a small working party to organise the walk with the assistance of Queenscourt Hospice Fundraising Manager Liz Hartley and Eddie Thompson, Les Gilston and Alister Sainter of Southport Masonic Group.

A Southport Masonic Group spokesperson said:- �The Southport Masonic Group is truly honoured to stand alongside Queenscourt Hospice and offer our support during this incredibly difficult time.�

The Freemasons in Southport often donate directly to Queenscourt and other worthy local causes, but on this occasion, they took to the streets to raise awareness and walked until they dropped!

With the help and donations from their families, friends and fellow Freemasons the total raised by Saturday night, was an incredible:- �42,000.

Southport Freemasons will continue to support Queenscourt and other worthy charities such as:- foodbanks, the Royal British Legion, local schools, safe places and other worthy causes.

Queenscourt Hospice has been providing compassionate care for the people of West Lancashire, Formby and Southport for the past 35 years. They care for patients with serious illnesses, enabling them to achieve the best possible quality of life at each new stage.

Queenscourt cares for patients both in the hospice and at home through their In-Patient Unit, Queenscourt Connect and Queenscourt at Home services. Queenscourt requires over 100 professional staff members to stay open, including:- Doctors, Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Physiotherapists and many other roles.

How to Help...

To support Queenscourt Hospice, follow this link or call the Fundraising Team on:- 01704517420. Further information about supporting hospice funding and advocacy, is available via the Queenscourt website.

News reports located on this page = 2.

Southport's 1st community Uniform & Coat Swap comes to Southport Market this August

Southport Freemasons raise incredible �42,000 for Queenscourt Hospice with 22 mile Liverpool to Southport walk