Dressability

08/12/2025

🧵 𝐒𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 ♻️

As the cold weather sets in, spare a thought for those who don’t have a warm jacket to reach for.

At Dressability, we’ve been using our sewing skills to help make a difference - both for people and the planet.

For over 10 years, we’ve formed relationships with corporate companies that send us batches of branded jackets, sweatshirts and coats which can no longer be used as part of their business. Rather than pay to have these perfectly good garments destroyed or incinerated, we give them a new life.

Our team carefully remove the logos, match the fabrics, and restore each garment so it can be worn again.

Once complete, the de-branded clothing is passed on to organisations such as Swindon Night Shelter, who help distribute them to people in need across the UK.

It’s a project that brings together care, craftsmanship and sustainability - turning waste into warmth, and fabric into hope.

💚 Read the full story here:
https://www.dressability.org.uk/2025/12/08/the-story-of-a-coat-sewing-for-sustainability/

03/12/2025

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

Today we recognise the strength, creativity and individuality of the people we support. At Dressability we see every day how the right clothing adaptation can bring comfort, confidence and independence.

Small changes make a big difference!

They help people feel more at ease in what they wear which can lead to greater freedom and participation in everyday life.

This day is an important reminder that inclusion starts with understanding real needs and removing the barriers that get in the way. Our dressmakers work closely with clients of all ages to solve practical challenges with care and skill. From adapted fastenings to redesigned garments each piece is tailored to support dignity and personal choice.

We are proud to stand with our client's families, volunteers and community partners who share our belief that everyone deserves clothing that works for them.

If you would like to learn more about our service or need help with an adaptation, please get in touch via 01793 512878 or info@dressability.org.uk

01/12/2025

𝐖𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬! ❤

There is nothing quite like opening a handwritten card from people that we've helped. Notes filled with kindness, gratitude and personal touches remind our team why they do what they do.

Alice and her family sent us this beautiful card after we adapted her now, magical coat. Their message meant the world to us and brought plenty of smiles around the workshop.

Every card, message and email we receive encourages our dressmakers and shows the real impact that clothing adaptations can have on confidence, comfort and independence.

If you or someone you care for has a disability or limited dexterity and needs clothing adapted for comfort or ease, our team would be very happy to help. You can reach us on 01793 512878 or email us at mail@dressability.org.uk

28/11/2025

𝐀𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭. 💗

If you have any fabric or haberdashery that you no longer need, we’d love to put it to good use!

Your donated materials help us adapt and create garments for individuals with disabilities and long-term health conditions – helping them feel comfortable, confident and independent every day.

If you’d like to donate items, we’d be delighted to hear from you:
📞 01793 512878
📧 mail@dressability.org.uk

If you don’t have materials to give but would still like to make a difference, you can support us with a financial donation via our website: www.dressability.org.uk/donate

Thank you for helping us make clothing accessible for everyone. ❤️

25/11/2025

24/11/2025

𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧

We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Swindon, Cllr Fay Howard, to the Dressability workshop.

The visit offered the chance to showcase our work and the impact it has on people across Swindon and beyond. Particular interest was shown in our coat debranding project, where donated branded jackets are carefully restored and passed on to people experiencing homelessness, along with our clothing adaptations that help people with disabilities dress with greater comfort and confidence.

The Mayor expressed how impressed she was by the skill and care involved in our work, and the visit helped raise awareness of the services Dressability provides within the local community.

Read the full article here:
https://www.dressability.org.uk/2025/11/24/dressability-welcomes-the-mayor-of-swindon/

For more information or to enquire about our services, please get in touch on 01793 512878 or mail@dressability.org.uk

22/11/2025

💗 We are proud to support carers, listen and help build stronger networks within our local community.

Our trustee and vice chair, Nicky, attended a Carers Rights Day event at the Pilgrim Centre in Swindon this week, bringing together local organisations that support adult, parent and young carers.

This year’s theme, know your rights, use your rights, encourages carers to understand and access the support available. With 18,500 carers registered in Swindon through Swindon Carers Centre, this support is more important than ever.

If you are a carer and need advice or guidance, Swindon Carers Centre offers information and practical support for anyone in a caring role.

At Dressability, we stand alongside the carers who support so many of our clients, helping to promote comfort, dignity and independence.

20/11/2025

𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 💗

Carers Rights Day takes place on Thursday 20 November, with this year’s theme “Know your rights, use your rights.”

Every day, thousands of people across the UK take on the role of caring for someone close to them, often without realising they have become a carer. Many don’t know what help or information is available to make life a little easier.

At Dressability, we meet many of our clients’ carers who dedicate so much of themselves to others. We see their kindness, patience and commitment, but we also understand how important it is that carers feel supported and informed about what they are entitled to.

Caring brings joy and meaning, but it can also be demanding. Knowing your rights, asking for support and taking time for yourself are not luxuries, they are essential.
If you care for someone, or know someone who does, take a moment today to learn more and share what you find. Together we can help more carers feel seen, supported and valued.

There is plenty of help, advice and guidance on www.carersuk.org that may be worth taking a look at.

Remember, you are appreciated, valued and never alone. 💗

18/11/2025

🎄 Getting ready for Christmas

Our wonderful volunteers have been busy in the sewing room, creating festive stockings and handmade gifts for the Charity Christmas Market at Christ Church in Old Town.

Every item sold helps raise funds to support our work with people who have disabilities and long term health conditions.

Come and see us this Saturday 22 November, 11am to 2.30pm at Christ Church, Old Town, SN1 3HG.

It is free to enter and full of Christmas cheer.

15/11/2025

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 — comfort, confidence, personality or practicality. For many of us, it’s easy to take that for granted.

But imagine how much more important clothing becomes when dressing isn’t simple, when comfort, dignity and independence rely on how a garment has been adapted.

At Dressability, we help people with disabilities or limited dexterity feel good in what they wear, with clothing that’s made to fit both their needs and their personality. 💗

If you or someone you know could benefit from our clothing adaptation service, or would just like some more information, we’d love to help.
📞 01793 512878
📧 mail@dressability.org.uk

13/11/2025

🧵 You don’t need to have a disability to use Dressability’s services

Alongside our core work adapting clothing for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, we also offer private alterations to local people.

This service sits alongside our main charitable work and includes things like shortening trousers, adjusting dresses, repairing zips and reshaping coats, all carried out by our skilled sewing team.

While most of what we do focuses on adapted clothing, we’re always happy to take on private alteration requests where capacity allows. Every job helps support our charity and ensures we can continue making clothing accessible for those who need it most.

If you’d like to use our alteration service, or you’re not sure what’s possible, we’d love to hear from you.

📍 Based in West Swindon
📞 01793 512878
📧 mail@dressability.org.uk

🌐 www.dressability.org.uk

A friendly and welcoming charity which supports the clothing needs of individuals with disabilities and those with limited dexterity.

10/11/2025

🧵 𝐀 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲!

Last week we had the pleasure of welcoming Rob, Swindon’s new Town Crier.

Rob’s outfit had been altered elsewhere and unfortunately needed some urgent attention before an important event. Our talented dressmaker Jackie stepped in straight away, carefully restoring it to its best.

Pictured here with Rob, Jackie made sure the outfit looked perfect in time for his event. By the end of the afternoon, Rob left looking every bit the part and delighted with the result. 👏

Moments like these remind us how proud we are to support our local community with skill, care and a personal touch. 💗

If you require an alteration, you do not need to have a disability to use Dressability’s services. We also take on private alterations, which help raise funds to support our core work adapting clothing for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.

You can get in touch with us by calling us on 01793 512878 or emailing via mail@dressability.org.uk