When the cold weather hits, a warm coat stops being a nice extra and becomes a must. But when prices are climbing and kids seem to grow overnight, even finding one decent coat can feel impossible.
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The good news is, there are plenty of ways to get a coat for free or for just a few pounds, and many families across the UK are doing exactly that.
Here’s where to look.
National coat giveaway schemes
Across the UK, charities and community groups run coat drives every winter to help families stay warm.
Wrap Up works with charities in major cities to collect second-hand coats and hand them out through community partners. Check the Wrap Up website for current drop-off points.
Sal’s Shoes sometimes runs coat swaps alongside its shoe donations, so it’s worth following their social media pages for updates.
The Coats for Kids initiative (part of The Big Community) helps parents through local referral partners. At the same time, many towns now have their own “Warm Welcome” hubs offering donated coats and jumpers.
Even if you can’t find an organised scheme near you, most food banks and family hubs can point you towards local coat collections.
Council or charity help
Some councils offer emergency support or hardship grants that can cover essentials like school uniforms or warm clothes. Check your local council website under “household support fund” or “cost of living help”.
Charities such as Family Action, The Trussell Trust, and Buttle UK can also provide help through local partners, especially if you’re on a low income or receiving certain benefits.
If you already use a food bank or community pantry, ask if they’re running a winter clothing event; many give away donated coats alongside food parcels.
School and community swaps
School Facebook pages and parent WhatsApp groups are goldmines for coat swaps. PTAs often run uniform exchanges, and coats usually sneak in, too.
You can also check Freecycle, Freegle, and Olio, where people list unwanted clothing locally. Search for “children’s coat” or “winter jacket,” but they often go within hours, so act fast.
If your area has a Community Fridge or Warm Hub, pop in and ask. They often double as drop-off points for donated clothes.
Supermarket and high street bargains
If you can stretch to a small spend, supermarkets usually have big reductions through November.
- Asda George and Tesco F&F run regular half-price sales on children’s coats.
- Sainsbury’s Tu often includes kids’ outerwear in its 25% off clothing events.
- Primark, Pep&Co (in Poundland) and Matalan usually have coats from £8–£12 that are cheaper still in clearance.
To cut costs further, use cashback apps like TopCashback or Quidco, and check if your loyalty points can cover part of the cost. Clubcard, Nectar, and Asda Rewards can all make a difference.
Tips to make coats last longer
- Buy one size up so your child can layer underneath and still move freely.
- Wash coats on a gentle cycle and hang dry to keep the filling fluffy.
- Reproof waterproof coats with a cheap spray to make them good as new.
- Pass coats between siblings or swap with friends and you’ll all save money.
Skint Dad says:
Every child deserves to stay warm, and there’s no shame in getting help. These schemes exist because families need them, and that’s okay.
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