Recently, the cost of living crisis has put pressure on several families across the UK as they now struggle to afford food, heating and clothing. In the midst of these tough times, local charities have played a large role for many in providing affordable or even free products to ease the strain on the finances of those in the community. I spoke to Lucy, who runs O2Teen, a preloved clothing shop, with business partner Sarah.

O2Teen is located in Market Place, Mildenhall. It has been at this location for seven years, and before that another one year at another venue, so the store has been helping families long before the cost of living crisis first began in late 2021. The shop has baskets of free school uniform, which can be expensive, allowing families to ensure their children are fully equipped for school. Lucy states that they are “available in all sizes for anybody that needs them”. 

The store is also aware of the impacts this can have on the town. “I’d like to think that it helps the community” she says. “I think it’s one less thing that they need to try and find the money to afford, at the moment things are quite tight for a lot of people”.  The effects of the local charity have potential to be remarkably positive, and have likely already come to the aid of many in the eight years of its presence. Lucy also adds that helping the community is “what it was all started for” and that “it has always been about helping the community and helping locally”.

By supporting local families, O2Teen is giving children better opportunities for education and likely raising living standards by offering free school clothes and other clothing at low prices. Whilst the changes may seem small and localised, the meaning of just one free school shirt for a parent affected by the cost of living crisis could be significant.