A Salford mother who once had to rely on her own parents to pay for her son's prom outfit has since helped hundreds of children attend their school prom through a free clothing service. Rebecca Marshall, who runs the Promwear Service from the Step Into Action charity in Walkden, says the fear of a bailiff at the door is less scary than telling a child they can't go to prom.
Four years ago, when her son Adam was leaving school, Marshall had just left her job and could not afford his outfit. Her parents stepped in, but she realised many families do not have that support. A Facebook appeal for prom clothes quickly filled her living room with donations, leading to a partnership with the Bridgewater Foundation Salford: Step Into Action charity, which offered space at their base in Linnyshaw Mill.
Hundreds of children helped since launch
Since then, the service has grown exponentially. Last year, Marshall kitted out 164 pupils. This year, she has already supported 138 children, with many more appointments booked. In total, she estimates she has helped hundreds of youngsters who would otherwise have missed out.
Marshall, who runs BodyMind Educate and has worked with children and adolescents for over a decade, said: "On the back of working with young people, I realised how damaging it was for them to miss out on their own prom. This isn't Alton Towers or Blackpool Pleasure Beach, they can't go again with friends, this is a once in a lifetime experience for them."
No means testing for struggling families
The service is open to anyone, with no restrictions or means testing. Marshall noted that many working parents struggle to afford outfits because they receive no financial support. "Parents don't have much left once they've paid their bills, especially these days when £50 only gets you a bag of shopping from the supermarket," she said.
"Those on benefits can often get help in terms of vouchers and other avenues like credit unions, whereas a working parent with bad credit, for example, they can't get a loan or any help. A lot of people end up going into debt just to afford prom. The thought of having a bailiff at the door is less scary than turning round to their child and saying 'no, you can't go to prom'. They're letting them down and it's that feeling of failure."
One-to-one appointments and a 'Pretty Woman' moment
The service offers one-to-one appointments, or two friends can book together. Marshall said: "The whole appointment is about them having fun. I say to the girls 'come in and have that Pretty Woman moment'. They can try on the dresses, get photos, pick out and try on as many dresses as they want."
She added that the selection rivals high-street boutiques: "When they see the hundreds of dresses we have here, they say they've been to boutiques where they don't have half as much choice as we do. Some shops only let them try on two or three dresses and if they want a dress that someone else in their school has already bought, they won't let them have it. It's not realistic at all."
No stigma around preloved clothing
Marshall said the popularity of Vinted and thrifting has removed the stigma attached to preloved clothing. "I always say to them, if you go on Vinted there will be things on there that have been worn for a few hours listed as 'new without tags'. It's no different with these dresses or suits."
She noted that prom shop dresses cost hundreds of pounds, which could instead pay for a family holiday. One woman donated a dress she had paid £1,000 for, which had been stuck in a bin bag. Marshall said: "There are so many dresses just stuck in people's wardrobes that they'll never wear again and that could make all the difference to one of these girls."
Donations needed for men's shoes and trousers
In addition to dresses, the service provides shoes, clutch bags, suits, ties, and shoes for boys when available. Currently, there are no men's shoes in stock, and donations of men's navy trousers are particularly needed. Collections can be arranged.
Marshall has 40 plus appointments left before July but said she will open every day if necessary. "It doesn't matter where you live, if you have petrol in your car and can get to us that's all that matters. We've had people from all over - Cheshire, Bacup, Rawtenstall."
She recalled: "Only yesterday I had an email from a young man whose parents had told him they couldn't afford to get him a suit. We got him in so that he could get what he needed and now he's able to go."
Anyone wishing to make an appointment or donate clothing can email becky@bodymindeducate.com. Marshall is also looking for volunteers in their late teens or early 20s who would benefit from work experience. "We're all about giving young people opportunities," she said. "That's what this is all about."
