Secondhand clothes, first-rate impact — that’s the story behind the pop-up op-shops run by students and Take Love, Anglicare’s youth initiative. They’re transforming school grounds into hubs of generosity, creativity and service.

In partnership with Anglicare, schools like Barker College and Norwest Christian College, have hosted pop-up op-shops that blend compassion with hands-on action. Students collect clothes, help set up shop, and then run the shop for their peers, all while raising funds for vital community programs.

“We get our warehouse and op-shop teams to visit a school that is doing a clothing collection, they set up a shop in the school grounds, and students can shop and take clothes home,” says Jas Lovemore, Take Love’s youth engagement and partnership coordinator.

“They are both donating and fundraising in the days that they run the op shop.”

The concept is simple: students browse, shop and learn, while other students are rolling up their sleeves behind the scenes, sorting, tagging and even dressing mannequins. 

Barker College was the first to give it a go. “It went really well, the students were super excited,” says Mrs Lovemore. Forty students helped op shop volunteers for two days. They were fully immersed in the whole process, working during breaks and joining in fun, fashion-themed activities, learning about the op-shop arm of Anglicare along the way. “I remember hearing kids were talking about the op-shop and what they bought in class, and teachers couldn’t get them to stop talking about this pop-up op shop!” 

Service Learning Co-ordinator, Josie Christoffersen, says she is proud to work with Take Love to provide students with opportunities like this to give back to the community. “Students took ownership of the program and speak fondly of their experience,” she says. “They were inspired to help in practical ways.” 

The excitement wasn’t just emotional, but it was also financial. Barker students raised over $1,300 in just two days, “more than some op-shops make doing 9-5.” 

The funds raised go directly into supporting Anglicare’s network of op-shops, which are more than secondhand stores. Anglicare are committed to using their op-shops as places where the community can find compassion and support in times of trouble. All money raised contributes to community pantries, emergency hampers, and vital local support services.

For students, it’s a win-win. It’s a fun way to learn about the services op-shops provide the community while also financially supporting them too.