The Redlands Kids Clothes Swap organisers and volunteers are set to continue operation after recently reaching a common-ground solution related to opening hours, with Redland City Council.
The Victoria Point based charity has been operational since 2019 and offers children’s clothes from newborn to size 16 to individuals and families in need through the hard work of volunteers and donated items from the community.
It was reported, Redland City Council received complaints from the neighbouring community concluding that the not-for-profit charity was not compliant with Council zoning regulations.
Since then, hosts Narelle and Brian Jeffriess have been in discussions with Redland City Council staff, resulting in a compromise of less operation days during the week, but longer hours when open.
Ms Jeffriess said the Redlands Kids Clothes Swap committee has not finished discussion on future operation dates but are working toward accessible dates for working parents.
“Depending on the days we were open, we would have to operate as a small business, not a charity,” she said.
“It would have restricted us to 40 people on the property, including volunteers and children and it would not have worked, so Council has changed that.
“We limit our days open to the community, but on the days we are open, we can be for more hours.”
Apart from public holidays, including Easter and Christmas, and family birthdays, Mr and Ms Jeffriess plan on having a continued and constant service in the community.
The Redlands Kids Clothes Swap Inc. will celebrate 5 years of service in May 2024 and now that a new arrangement has been met, the volunteers will be able to celebrate with their community.
Ms Jeffriess said the hard work and dedication of the volunteers make the charity what it is.
“Some volunteers get here from 7am when we open, to help set up and start organising donations because we do get a lot dropped off,” she said.
We started as a group of friends and family, but eventually clients started to offer their time and it grew from there.
“We now have a very good network of volunteers who do a variety of things from organising deliveries to helping wash items and making deliveries.
“We really have become a family here.”
Mr Jeffriess said, it was a very satisfying and fulfilling to help lots of people and make daily life even a little bit easier.
“We were open during the COVID pandemic, because we were a listed essential service,” he said.
“It really is a no-questions-asked charity and if people come forward needing certain things, we can put a call out to request those items to be donated.”
Volunteers and loyal clients of Redlands Kids Clothes Swap have also organised deliveries of clothing, shoes, games, coats, car-seats and cots for all around Australia, in particular to flood and fire effected areas, and some overseas projects.
Ms Jeffriess said, “Many individuals and community groups use our charity for items for projects, and we are very happy to continue to do our part.”
Mr and Ms Jeffriess and their volunteers expressed their thanks for the overwhelming support of the Redlands and greater Australian communities leading up to the final arrangements with local council.
The community can see urgent donation requests through the charity’s Facebook page, and further information will be posted about post-Easter open days and hours.
