A ‘LIFELINE’ baby clothes swap has received £2,750 in funding from Somerset Community Foundation.

The clothes swap has been running in Wellington Methodist Church for the past three years and sees guardians from Wellington, Taunton, Bridgwater and the surrounding villages attend the fortnightly sessions.

Parents will bring disused clothes for children aged zero to five and in return they can take home a piece of clothing from the wide selection available.

Helena Power and Stephanie Vine founded the clothes swap at the Methodist Church in 2022.

Helena, community outreach worker at Wellington Methodist Church, said: “When we started the clothes swap we did not realise how big it would get. We will continue to let it grow because the clothes swap is obviously needed and well supported.

“We have received really lovely feedback from parents who have used the clothes swap. They have told us that the swap is a lifeline and it takes the pressure off buying new clothes. It saves money because children aged zero to five grow so fast.”

If unable, attendees can take clothes without bringing their own to the swap.

The Wellington Methodist Church Clothes Swap is one of nine Somerset-based groups who have received funds through the Waste Not Somerset Fund.

Jointly funded by Somerset Council and its collections contractor SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, the Fund reinvests income generated from the sale of recyclable materials to support local groups to reduce waste, increase reuse and repair, and encourage sustainable behaviour.

The Wellington Methodist Church Clothes Swap will use the funding to purchase shelves, boxes and replace rails that are breaking due to strain.

The clothes swap is held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 11 am to 1.30 pm in Wellington Methodist Church.

For more information, visit ‘Wellington Methodist 0-5 Clothes Swap’ on Facebook.