An innovative project in the small town of Wem, Shropshire, ensures that children’s wellies get a second chance, instead of being discarded. The “Wem Welly Exchange,” based at NFU Mutual offices in Wem, allows families to swap used wellies for a larger size. The project was set up by Lorna Tommy about 18 months ago after she noticed that her children’s and grandchildren’s boots were often left unused once they had outgrown them. “They’re not worn out when they outgrow them, but you don’t know what to do with them,” she told BBC Radio Shropshire. Since the project’s launch, around 100 pairs of wellies have been exchanged. With the rise of outdoor lessons and forest schools, more parents need wellies at short notice, and Wem has limited local retail options for this type of footwear. The service is free, offering both financial relief to families and environmental benefits. However, the project is in need of more donations, especially in certain sizes. Rebeker Ford, a user of the service, praised the exchange as “the best form of recycling,” giving wellies a second life and bringing joy to another child’s outdoor adventures.
