A TEAM of young Barnsley College volunteers have come on leaps and bounds working at a second-hand boutique.

Reloved Boutique was created as a solution to a shortage of work experience for college pupils, whilst giving back to the community with affordable clothing.

The hard-working volunteers have been nominated for a Young Champions award for their industrious attitude and determination to help their local community.

Designed to provide real-world skills in a supportive, hands-on environment - the boutique is specifically tailored for the college’s Learning for Living and Work pupils, including those with learning difficulties.

Supported by college staff, the young volunteers are instrumental to keeping the boutique thriving.

No two days are the same, will the pupils getting stuck in with anything from serving customers at the till, to organising donations and de-bobbling clothes.

The volunteers have also taken their venture online, selling items on the second-hand shopping platform, Vinted.

Established in September 2024, in its first year of business the shop earned over £3,000, which went to support local charities.

Since opening up for business again in September 2025, the boutique has already exceeded £3,000 in donations, with 3,456 items saved from landfill.

However, perhaps the most heartwarming story to come from the Reloved Boutique has been the transformation in confidence of even the shyest volunteers.

For one volunteer, working in the boutique has given the youngster pride in her abilities and the confidence to interact with staff, customers and her peers.

She said: “It’s my second year in the shop.

“When we get donations we do de-bobbling in the back and then put them out on white hangers.

“Then, we write the size and the price on the tag and sell them to customers.

“I like speaking to the customers and putting out the clothes.

“I enjoy working here.”