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Dressability

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Dressability

Welcome! We believe that well-fitting, comfortable clothing should be accessible for every body.

We are the Swindon-based charity providing clothing adaptations and tailoring for people with disabilities, older people, and anyone with limited dexterity. Clothing comes in all shapes and sizes, but sometimes that is simply not enough! For people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties and the over 65's, finding clothes that reflect a personal style, fit well and are easy to take on or off, can be hard. To make life easier Dressability provides a low cost clothing adaptation and alteration service to people who need their clothes to fit well, feel comfortable and remain stylish. Whatever physical challenges you face, Dressability can help tailor your clothing so that getting dressed or being dressed becomes an everyday routine rather than a daily problem! Dressability is one of only two independent clothing services in the UK which caters specifically for the needs of disabled people. We work with other voluntary organisations, disability support groups, social workers and healthcare professionals. Because of our experience of clothing and disability, our advice has also been sought by the legal profession. Dressability is a registered charity which has a board of trustees who are legally responsible for all the charity´s activities.

05/03/2026

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

We were pleased to welcome Becky from Hillier Funeral Service to Dressability recently.

Hillier Funeral Service are a well known local company who regularly support charities and community organisations, and we were very grateful to receive a donation from their community fund. Funding like this helps us continue offering our service to those who need it most.

During the visit we were able to show Becky around our workshop, talk about the work we do and demonstrate some of the adaptations we create to help people wear clothing more comfortably and independently.

It was a pleasure to share more about the service we provide and the difference thoughtful clothing adaptations can make in everyday life.

Thank you to Becky and the team at Hillier Funeral Service for their support.

03/03/2026

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 – 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭

Dressability is looking for a Community Engagement Assistant to help grow our presence across Swindon and the surrounding area.

This part-time role focuses on building local relationships, raising awareness of our services and helping more people access the support we provide.

We’re looking for someone friendly, confident and organised, with experience in community engagement or partnership working and good knowledge of the local area. An understanding of disability issues is important. A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are required.

Full details and how to apply can be found here:
https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/dressability/community-engagement-assistant/1058489?tsId=1

For any questions about the role, please contact Sharon Tombs at sharontombs@dressability.org.uk

01/03/2026

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲 ♿♥

A day to recognise the independence wheelchairs provide, while also highlighting some of the everyday barriers that still exist.

One of those barriers is clothing.

Most clothes are designed with standing bodies in mind. When you spend much of your day seated, garments sit differently. Trousers can pull at the back, fabric can bunch, seams can rub, and fastenings are not always in the easiest place to reach.

Because every situation is unique, the right adaptation can transform comfort, independence and confidence.

At Dressability, we regularly adapt clothing to make it more comfortable and practical for wheelchair users, while ensuring it still looks like the clothes our clients have chosen to wear.

Examples of adaptations include:

• reshaping garments for better seated comfort
• adjusting the back rise of trousers to prevent pulling
• creating discreet openings for medical access
• replacing buttons with magnets or Velcro for easier fastening
• making bespoke items such as gowns or aprons to support dignity during personal care
• adapting favourite items so they continue to work for everyday life

We believe clothing should support independence, not limit it.

If you would like to see real examples of people we have supported, you can read some of their success stories here:
https://www.dressability.org.uk/category/success-stories/

If you would like to talk to us about an adaptation, call 01793 512878 or email dressmaking@mail.org.uk

25/02/2026

📦 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐭. 𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭 𝐈𝐭. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐭.

You don’t need to be local to Swindon or Wiltshire to access our services. We support people across the UK, because distance should never be a barrier to clothing that works for you.

Getting started is simple.

The first step is to get in touch with us. We’ll talk through what you need, explain the process clearly, and advise what may be required, including any measurements or information that will help us understand your situation and what you may be hoping to achieve.

In some cases, there may be more than one adaptation option available. We can talk you through the alternatives and, where appropriate, help you trial different approaches to see what works best for you.

Once agreed, you post the item to us at our workshop. We carefully adapt it based on what has been discussed, keeping the clothing looking and feeling as familiar as possible. When complete, we send it safely back to you, ready to wear.

We understand that no two adaptations are ever the same. We work closely with you throughout to understand your individual needs and do our very best to create a practical, comfortable solution.

If you’re unsure whether something can be adapted, just ask.

Call us on 01793 512878 or email us at dressmaking@mail.org.uk

www.dressability.org.uk

19/02/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥.

For many families, school mornings can be challenging, especially when standard school uniform is difficult to manage because of disability, medical conditions or limited dexterity.

Small adaptations can make a big difference. Not just practically, but emotionally too. Being able to wear the same uniform as friends while feeling comfortable and confident can transform the start of the day.

At Dressability, we adapt school uniform and children’s clothing to make dressing easier while keeping everything looking familiar. This might include replacing buttons with Velcro or magnets, adjusting fit, adding discreet openings, or making simple changes that support independence and comfort.

And right now, it’s a great time to try our service. As a charity, our work is heavily subsidised, with children’s alterations starting from just £3 and the first garment completely free.

If you’d like to talk through what might help your child, our friendly team are always happy to chat.

Call us on 01793 512878 or email us at dressmaking@mail.org.uk

Workshop hours are usually 9am to 3pm, with appointments available up to 4pm for after school visits.

17/02/2026

𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐨.

Our client, Rossi, visited Dressability recently to collect his adapted baseball cap.

Rossi has a real love for baseball caps, but his implant meant standard designs were no longer comfortable or practical to wear. Our team adapted his cap to create discreet access, allowing him to keep wearing one of his favourite accessories in a way that works for him.

The adaptation blends into the design of the cap itself, so it looks and feels like a normal hat while working around Rossi’s individual needs.

Nice to know Rossi can keep wearing the caps he enjoys, and perhaps we will be adapting a few more from his collection before long.

If clothing or accessories have become difficult to wear because of disability, medical equipment or changing needs, please get in touch. We are always happy to talk through what might be possible.

01793 512878
dressmaking@mail.org.uk
www.dressability.org.uk

14/02/2026

❤️ 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭.

This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating confidence, self-expression and the simple joy of wearing clothes that truly work for you.

For many people living with disability, limited dexterity, long-term health conditions or recovery from surgery, getting dressed can become difficult or frustrating. Clothing that once felt effortless may no longer fit comfortably or function in the way it needs to.

At Dressability, we adapt and alter clothing so people can continue wearing styles they love, attend special occasions with confidence, and feel comfortable in everyday life. From discreet adaptations to thoughtful practical solutions, every change is designed around the individual.

Because clothing isn’t just about what you wear, it’s about how you feel when you wear it.

If you, a friend, a family member or someone you care about could benefit from our service, we’d love to hear from you.

📞 01793 512878
📧 dressmaking@mail.org.uk
🌐 www.dressability.org.uk

10/02/2026

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. ✂️

Sewing is often seen as a traditional skill, but it teaches a wide range of practical abilities that are still highly relevant today.

Working with clothing can support problem-solving, patience and creativity, as well as developing hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and basic maths through measuring, planning and precision. These skills can improve confidence and independence, especially for people adapting garments to suit their individual needs.

Sewing also plays an important role in sustainability. Repairing, altering or adapting clothing helps extend the life of garments and reduces reliance on fast fashion and unnecessary waste.

At Dressability, we see daily how practical sewing skills can make clothing more accessible, functional and longer-lasting.

If you would like to find out more about our clothing adaptations or repairs, please get in touch:

📞 01793 512878
📧 dressmaking@mail.org.uk
🌐 www.dressability.org.uk

04/02/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲

This is Lin, one of the people we have been privileged to support.

Lin has been through breast surgery and chemotherapy, using a PICC line and surgical drains along the way. Everyday things like getting dressed suddenly became much harder than they should be.

We adapted Lin’s jumper so she could access her PICC line easily without needing to undress. We also made her a fabric drain bag so she could carry her surgical drain comfortably and discreetly.

Lin told us,
“The drain bag was the best thing I received. It was the first thing I put on after surgery.”

We are experienced in a wide range of clothing alterations and every adaptation we do is tailored to the specific needs of the individual. What might seem like a small change can make a huge difference to comfort, dignity and independence.

If you or someone you know could benefit from support like this, please get in touch. Call 01793 512878 or email dressmaking@dressability.org.uk

02/02/2026

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟐𝟖 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲!

For 28 years our wonderful charity has been quietly changing lives through something many of us take for granted, getting dressed, and helping people access clothing that fits, works and feels right.

From helping people maintain dignity and independence, to adapting trousers after a stroke, adjusting football shirts so someone can still wear their team colours with pride, adding discreet fastenings for easier dressing, and making sure special outfits fit for weddings, anniversaries and once in a lifetime moments.

We have helped people feel confident again, sent princesses to the ball, supported older people to stay independent, and helped families through some of the most challenging times with care, patience and kindness.

Every alteration tells a story. Every stitch represents respect, dignity and understanding.

None of this would be possible without our amazing volunteers, supporters, donors and the people who trust us with their stories. We are incredibly proud of the impact made over the last 28 years and grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our service, or if you would like to support what we do, please get in touch.

01793 512878
dressmaking@dressability.org.uk

30/01/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.

Our trustee and vice chair, Nicky, recently visited SHAP, the Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership, and came away genuinely inspired.

Dressability is proud to be partnering with other organisations in our community to deliver added benefit for those who need support. As part of this partnership, we have provided the debranded coats shown here, which have been packed and sent to Ukraine, with more to follow.

SHAP is a voluntary run organisation doing incredible work both locally and internationally, and it is a real privilege to support their efforts in a small but meaningful way.

You can read the full story here:
https://www.dressability.org.uk/2026/01/29/working-with-swindon-humanitarian-aid-partnership/

If you are involved with another charitable or community organisation and feel we may be able to work together for the benefit of others, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch via mail@dressability.org.uk or call 01793 512878.

28/01/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to Swindon’s Big Sing Thing choir for their generous donation of £642 to Dressability. Big Sing Thing is a vibrant community choir that has been bringing people together in song across Swindon since 2011, welcoming singers of all abilities and performing a wide range of music while building friendships and community spirit.

The funds were raised through their cake and puzzle sales as well as their popular Christmas concert, and we were delighted that they chose Dressability as one of the three charities to support in 2025. Our Manager, Sharon, and our Vice Chair of Trustees, Nicky, are pictured with the choir. Alongside Dressability, Big Sing Thing also supported two other fantastic local charities, The Roxi Foundation and CALM Charity with their fundraising efforts.

Thank you to everyone involved in Big Sing Thing for your creativity, enthusiasm, and kindness – your support makes such a positive impact.

Address

Bradbury House, Westmead Drive
Swindon
SN57ER

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 3pm
Tuesday	9am - 3pm
Wednesday	9am - 3pm
Thursday	9am - 3pm
Friday	9am - 3pm

Website

https://localgiving.com/charity/dressability, https://www.dressability.org.uk/

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