Solihull’s Project MINTED!

Our Roots & Shoots Clubs have been busy with a project to try to reduce waste in the run up to Christmas.

Every year, lots of people buy new Christmas jumpers, not necessarily because they need one, but because they fancy something new. So, we decided to organise a sale to recycle & reuse pre-loved jumpers, as well as raise money for an amazing charity which helps those living in poverty in Sri Lanka.

So, Project MINTED was borne!

Once our new logo was created, we set about encouraging our school community to donate Christmas jumpers to our appeal. With over 250 jumpers generously donated, we sorted them into sizes and set up an initial sale in the staff room for our staff at school. Break time was a flurry of activity and excitement because buying second-hand is better than buying new, for the planet, for your wallet and for your wardrobe!

Not stopping there, we then set up a stall at our Christmas School Fair to sell even more jumpers and we had lots of support from everyone who came.

We are very proud to share we raised over £600, 100% of which has been donated to an award winning, cooperative sustainable farm in North Sri Lanka. The farm will provide grow bags to families living below the poverty line, so they can grow their own vegetables and food trees sustainably and sell any surplus they produce. These projects support the alleviation of poverty and improve the living conditions of families who live in the area, especially those women and children identified to be in the greatest need.We promised those who donated jumpers that their gift would keep on giving, long after it freed up space in their wardrobe and we are delighted to have found a way.

And not only that, but we have also donated all any unsold jumpers to a charity providing toys and Christmas gifts to families experiencing hardship in the Birmingham area. We are happy to know that we have spread some Christmas cheer and that all the pre-loved jumpers, ranging in size from 3 months to adults,  will be going to families who will appreciate them at this special time of year!  

We are also proud that we have given lots of jumpers a new lease of life and reduced the unnecessary buying of ‘stuff’ we don’t need.

Our project was such a success and so much fun, we already have plans for World Book Day outfits too… watch this space!