Barnardo’s Re-Fashion Hub | Miele Professional
Little Giants keeping clothing clean and green
To support the Re-Fashion Hub, we donated a Little Giants commercial washing machine. This machine is crucial for preparing donated items for upcycling by washing and removing stains. The Little Giants machine is designed to conserve water and electricity, saving up to 22% and 28% respectively, using only the required resources per wash cycle. Additionally, it features eco-friendly programmes and quick cycle times, aligning with Barnardo’s sustainability commitments.
The Little Giants machine is not only sustainable but also highly durable, designed with a lifespan of up to 30,000 hours of continuous use. Its unique design ensures that it can handle large loads efficiently, making it ideal for a high-demand environment like the Re-Fashion Hub. And with an intuitive touch display and navigation in multiple languages, it makes life much easier for the volunteers, meaning they can operate the machine with ease.
“When we heard that Barnardo’s planned to launch an upcycling scheme for pre-loved textiles, we felt that one of our commercial washing machines would be put to great use, helping to give unwanted clothing a second life. With sustainability part of our brand fabric, we are delighted to be able to contribute to a cause that supports both the charity and the environment.”
Since the launch of the Re-Fashion Hub in June 2024, the project has achieved significant milestones:
- Approximately 250kg of textiles have been rescued and redistributed after being repaired treated or upcycled.
- The Re-Fashion Hub has successfully sold 304 rescued items, generating income for Barnardo’s children’s services.
- Re-Fashion volunteers have contributed a combined total of 225.5 hours to the project, showcasing their dedication and commitment.
In addition to our donation, the Re-Fashion Hub has received six sewing machines from Singler Sewing Machines. The project also involves fashion students from Bradford School of Art, who create fashion ranges from unusable donations as part of their courses. This collaboration not only enhances the student’s skills but also promotes sustainability and creativity.
Speaking on the collaboration, Sonja Green, Head of Sustainability at Barnardo’s said: “The launch of our first Re-Fashion Hub is an exciting initiative for the charity. We are extremely grateful to Singer Sewing Machines and Miele Professional for partnering with us and donating the equipment needed to set up the project.”
Our partnership with Barnardo’s Re-Fashion Hub supports our commitment to sustainability and community support. By providing essential equipment, we are helping to reduce waste, promote upcycling, and support Barnardo’s mission to improve the lives of children and young people.
