Dressability

09/09/2026

Zero Waste Week ♻️ | 7–11 September

This week is , an annual campaign encouraging us all to think a little more carefully about what we throw away and how things can be reused, repaired or repurposed instead.

At Dressability, reducing waste is something we think about all year round.

We regularly receive generous donations of fabric, which are carefully sorted to make sure as much as possible is put to good use.

Larger suitable pieces can be used by our experienced dressmakers when adapting clothing for our clients, such as adding discreet panels to garments to accommodate swollen joints and make clothing more comfortable.

Other good-sized pieces are used to make drain bags for hospitals, hospices and organisations supporting people following surgery.

And even the smallest scraps have a purpose! These are collected and passed on to another charity, where they are weighed and help generate valuable income for their work.

It’s a great example of the message behind Zero Waste Week, looking at something that might otherwise be thrown away and finding another use for it.

A huge thank you to everyone who donates fabric to Dressability and helps us make every piece count.

If you have suitable fabric you would like to donate, please contact [email protected]

07/09/2026

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞🧵

Our Monday volunteers have been busy making another wonderful collection of drain bags.

Pictured are Judy and Caroline with just some of the colourful bags made by the group, which will help patients carry their surgical drains more comfortably and discreetly during recovery.

A huge thank you to all our volunteers for giving their time and skills to support this important project.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our clothing alteration and adaptation service, or you have suitable fabric you would like to donate, please call 01793 512878 or email [email protected]

31/08/2026

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

As the summer holidays draw to a close, our team has been busy adapting school uniforms for children with disabilities and limited dexterity, helping them feel comfortable, confident and more independent at school.

This secondary school blazer was recently brought to us because the sleeves were too long. Our dressmakers shortened them to provide a much better fit while keeping the original appearance and style of the blazer.

This is just one of many school uniform adaptations we can provide. We can also replace difficult buttons with Velcro or magnets, create alternative openings to make dressing easier, alter trouser and sleeve lengths, and adapt school ties to make them easier to use.

Every child has different needs, so our team works with families to find a practical and discreet solution tailored to the individual.

To discuss a school uniform adaptation, call 01793 512878 or email [email protected]

27/08/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬?

We’ve been thrilled by the response since our de-branding work was featured on BBC Points West! The story has led to lots of new enquiries from organisations interested in giving good-quality branded clothing a new purpose, and we’re excited to see the project continuing to grow.

Our volunteers carefully remove company branding from clothing so it can be donated and reused rather than going to waste. The image shows a recent jacket before and after the embroidered logo was removed.

With more enquiries coming in, we’d love to welcome additional volunteers to our friendly team. If you have sewing experience and would like to get involved, please call 01793 512878 or email [email protected]

20/08/2026

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠

Corinna recently visited Louise and the lovely S.H.A.P.E team at First City Nursing & Care to talk about the work we do at Dressability.

The team were incredibly welcoming and really enthusiastic to learn more about our garment adaptations and the difference they can make to people’s independence, comfort and wellbeing.

It was a great opportunity to share more about our service, the adaptations we can make and how we could support some of the people they work with.

A big thank you to Louise and everyone at First City Nursing for such a warm welcome. We look forward to keeping in touch!

To find out more about Dressability and the garment adaptations we offer:

01793 512878
[email protected]

16/08/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬? 🧵

Did you know that a 1,000-metre roll of good-quality sewing thread can cost over £15?

The cost of haberdashery continues to rise, and as you can imagine, we get through a lot of supplies here at Dressability.

That’s why donations of sewing thread, unused zips and other haberdashery items are always very welcome. If you have any sitting unused at home, we’d love to put them to good use.

Donations like these help us keep our costs down and continue providing our services at an affordable price for the people who need them.

If you have anything you’d like to donate, please get in touch with us on 01793 512878 or email [email protected]

09/08/2026

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤! 🧵

Following our successful appearance on BBC Points West, our volunteers are already hard at work on the de-branding project featured in the programme!

Annie is pictured getting stuck into the project and helping us prepare these garments so they can be put to good use within our community.

Our sewing volunteers are a hugely important part of Dressability and help us with a wide variety of projects throughout the year.

Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to put your sewing skills to good use, meet new people and be part of a friendly team, while knowing that the time you give is helping us make a real difference to people in our community.

If you’re interested in volunteering with Dressability, please give us a call on 01793 512878 or email Tia at [email protected].

05/08/2026

If you missed us on BBC Points West today, it's well worth a watch!

Our feature starts just after the 4 minute mark and showcases some of the work we do at Dressability, including debranding donated corporate coats and fleeces.

Many of these garments are then donated to organisations such as Swindon Night Shelter, helping to support local people while giving perfectly good clothing a new purpose. It's a great example of organisations working together to benefit the local community.

A big thank you to BBC Points West for featuring Dressability and helping to raise awareness of the work we do.

You can watch the feature here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002zwrz/points-west-lunchtime-news-05082026

If you or someone you know has a disability, long term health condition or reduced dexterity and could benefit from clothing adaptations, we'd love to help.

Call us on 01793 512878 or email [email protected] to find out more.

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04/08/2026

📺 Look out for Dressability on BBC Points West tomorrow (Wednesday)!

We're delighted to have been featured as part of a story highlighting how local charities can work together to make a real difference for people in their communities.

The feature focuses on our de-branding project, which gives unwanted branded clothing a new lease of life by adapting it for disabled people, helping reduce waste while supporting those who need it most. It's a great example of what can be achieved when charities, businesses and volunteers work together for the benefit of local people.

The feature is expected to air during the BBC Breakfast bulletins, as well as the 1.30pm and 6.30pm editions of Points West.

If you manage to catch it, we'd love to hear what you think!

30/07/2026

𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬, 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭

Almost all of the alterations at Dressability are carried out on domestic sewing machines.

Although we do have a couple of industrial machines for heavier work, the vast majority of our adaptations are completed using domestic machines, many of which have been generously donated to us over the years.

From adapting school uniforms and everyday clothing, to creating specialist garments and accessories that help people live more independently, these machines play a vital role in making a real difference to our clients' lives.

We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated sewing machines or supported our work. Your generosity helps us continue providing life changing clothing adaptations to disabled people and those with long term health conditions across the UK.

Thank you for helping us keep stitching, adapting and changing lives. ❤