Re.Uniqlo x The Generosity Collective
Oct 27, 2022
SOCIAL INNOVATION
At UNIQLO, we recycle your gently used garments through our circular sustainability programs.
So who are Uniqlo Australia’s Re.Uniqlo partners and where does the clothing go?
Meet the Generosity Collective, partnering with Uniqlo since April 2022. Uniqlo support The Generosity collective with ongoing clothing donations to meet their needs and help further their impact in the community. Below is an interview with the founders Natalie and Elise about their work and how we can all help.
The Generosity Collective Founders: Natalie Dymond and Elise Stevens
Tell us about your charity and what makes it unique.
The Generosity Collective is a registered charity and 100% volunteer driven. The aim is to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged families through the provision of specified and quality second-hand and new goods through our registered community members, businesses and corporate partners. We are dedicated to providing essential clothing and items to those facing hardship while also focusing on supporting a circular economy.
One of the main drivers was to reduce our footprint on this earth. “To be able to rehome and repurpose quality second hand clothing helps to divert mountains of materials going to landfill.”
We collect lightly used and new clothing and create specialised “Generosity Crisis Packs” for people facing hardship in Melbourne.
We help bridge the gap between agencies and services currently provided. In doing so, we free up the agency’s valuable time, while supporting a circular economy, and most importantly - create dignity and hopefully a little brightness in someone’s life.
A sense of community is exactly what founders Natalie and Elise wanted to cement when starting The Generosity Collective.
“We’ve seen first-hand the generosity of others in our community when called upon over the years, and we knew we had a strong base of dedicated, generous and community minded people to begin and grow this project. We have found starting up this charity to be equal part heart breaking and a heart-warming experience. Collaboration and partnerships within our community is incredibly powerful and the real key.”
Our service is unique with an important point of difference. We hand deliver our Generosity Crisis Care packs straight to agencies. We often have multiple requests for multiple clients to be then distributed by the support workers to multiple locations. We make support request easy for the support workers so they can concentrate on what they do best. Assisting in the healing, recovery and support of their clients.
How can people get involved and help?
We are fast and nimble in responding to agency requests and provide our giving community a collection service so donating their quality second-hand clothing becomes an easy alternative dumping in collection bins where that generosity takes a long time to reach those facing hardship. Your loyal customers will become aware and engaged in a community project and become more mindful of the differing needs in their local community. Your customers can support our organisation by continuing to use Uniqlo’s Program or donate their quality lightly used items directly to use by booking a collection or delivery via our website. We strongly believe that everyone has the ability to give generously and whether that is though clothing, monetary, time or expertise we value all our giving community members.
Where do the Re.Uniqlo donations go?
We support individuals who are fleeing domestic violence, in refuges and crisis accommodation, those who are accessing residential and psychiatric support services, Emergency and Intensive Care Units and children in residential and foster care. Educational services for disengaged youth, youth and adult homelessness.
We support the services that sadly get forgotten about or the age groups that are difficult to accommodate, like the elderly and youth.
With the work you do, where has the biggest impact been seen?
Many of the programs we partner with have never been offered support or simply asked ‘what can we do to make an immediate difference to their individuals you support.’
Examples include Inpatient programs within hospitals where consumers don’t have family or friends to bring them in fresh clothing or toiletries, who are then subsequently left in hospital gowns for extended periods and only hand soap for hygiene. Families fleeing domestic violence with just the clothes on their backs, with our support get individual bags of clothing curated just for them to suit their taste and style. For some it is a new pair of pj’s, a warm winter jack or a beanie in their favourite colour. We feel our support is like a virtual hug. Recipients feel seen, supported, and know they matter.
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