1 in 8 young people aged 16–24 in the UK are not in education, employment or training — 16.4%, the highest in a decade. We rescue quality second-hand clothing from landfill to reduce textile waste, and use it to create real learning and employment pathways for young people in Manchester.
Young people aren't failing to find work because they lack ambition. They're failing because the pathways into work were never built for them. 1 in 8 aged 16–24 are not in education, employment or training — the highest rate in a decade.
Threads for Change is building those pathways — through fashion, sustainability, and digital skills.
We rescue quality second-hand clothing from landfill, reducing textile waste and giving garments a second life. That clothing becomes the raw material for real skills training — vintage retail, sustainable fashion, content creation, and more.
Every programme is free, practical, and designed with employers from day one.
We especially welcome young people who've had a rough ride — those who've been excluded, who've struggled with mental health, or who've just never been given a proper chance. No qualifications needed. No judgement.
Building skills, confidence, and a more environmentally responsible future — one young person at a time.
First cohort launches
Our founding apprenticeship and workshop programmes, free to all eligible young people in Manchester
Employer partnerships
Building direct routes from our programmes into paid work with fashion and retail employers
Measurable outcomes
Tracking employment, training, and wellbeing outcomes for every young person we work with
Systemic change
Advocating for a fashion industry that reflects the communities it sells to
Whether you're a young person ready to start or an organisation ready to invest — we want to hear from you.
