Students sleeping in burnt-out cars, special needs kids and others unable to fork out for school formal clothing in a cost-of-living crisis have found someone to turn to. or signup to continue reading What is supposed to be a night of night's celebrating school graduation could also induce anxiety from extra costs that may force some children to miss out. But The Formal Project's founder Sam Oakes wants to make sure no Australian student in years 6, 10 or 12 is left behind and has the chance to dress up for a night with attached.
Behind a closed curtain in a shopfront in Minto, NSW in Sydney's southwest, carefully decorated with candles, are racks with dresses, suits, shirts, vests, jackets and belts, all available students for free. As a mother of special needs children, she also makes sure her choices are inclusive. "We even go to the extent of having different socks for the men in different feels," she said.
"Because if there's an autistic kid that has a sensory issue or a kid with mental health [issues] that might pick at their socks out of nervousness." She also has pouches to supply for children who have diabetic machines and tube covers for people who use catheters. "If you think about it, we've done it and if we haven't thought about it, we make sure it's in action by the end of that day," she said.
Ms Oakes said it only took one friend to ask her if she could lend a dress to them and the idea was born. Her dining room was transformed with racks of clothes to give awa.