Dressability

18/10/2026

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞 – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 🧵

We're delighted to welcome Stephanie to Dressability as we begin the second year of our Trainee Dressmaker Programme.

Stephanie already has a passion for sewing and creativity, running her own small business making handmade coats for dogs. She's now looking forward to developing her skills further, learning from our experienced dressmakers and putting those skills to good use helping others.

Our trainee programme is something we're particularly proud of. We're incredibly fortunate to have such talented and experienced dressmakers at Dressability, and through the programme, we're working to pass their knowledge and expertise on to new people and future generations.

Traditional sewing, dressmaking and alteration skills are incredibly valuable, but opportunities to learn and develop these skills aren't always readily available. We believe it's important that the knowledge and craftsmanship of experienced dressmakers are preserved and passed on.

These skills also play an important role in sustainability. Research by environmental charity WRAP found that for every five clothing repairs, around four purchases of new clothing are avoided.

At Dressability, we see the value of these skills every day. From repairing and altering clothing to making specialist adaptations that help people with disabilities live more independently, our dressmakers make a real difference.

By investing in the next generation of dressmakers, we hope to preserve these important skills, encourage more sustainable clothing choices and ensure Dressability can continue supporting even more people in our community for years to come.

Please join us in giving Stephanie a warm welcome to the team!

15/10/2026

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 💗

Love wearing it, but finding it difficult to put on, fasten or get comfortable in? We’re here to help.

At Dressability, we adapt and alter clothing for people with disabilities and those aged over 65, helping make everyday dressing easier, more comfortable and more independent.

For local residents of West Swindon, we’re delighted to offer your first garment alteration or adaptation free of charge.

Whether it’s a favourite outfit or an everyday essential, tell us what you’re finding tricky. Our friendly, expert team will talk through how we can help.

Give us a call on 01793 512878 or email us at [email protected]
We're based at Bradbury House, Westmead Drive, Swindon, SN5 7LE.

Know someone who could benefit? Please share this post and help us reach more people in our local community.

Please note that this excludes wedding dresses, prom dresses and formal suits and is subject to suitability.

13/10/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 💚

We were delighted to deliver handmade aprons to Prospect Hospice’s head chef. Made to order in the hospice’s colours, they’ll be used by their kitchen volunteers.

We also delivered a large supply of drain bags to Debbie, who runs the Prospect at Home team. These can be given out free of charge to anyone who needs them.

Prospect Hospice provides vital care and support for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families, and we’re proud to support the wonderful work they do.

It’s always a pleasure to put our sewing skills to use in our community. A big thank you to our wonderful volunteers for the time and care they put into every item.

Pictured in the top photo are Teresa, our trustee, on the far left in her patterned waistcoat, and Ruth, our volunteer, on the far right.

Although we undertake community projects regularly, our core service is adapting clothing for people with disabilities or limited mobility. If you or someone you care for could benefit from our help, please contact our dressmaking team on 01793 512878 or email [email protected]

10/10/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐲💚

This year’s theme is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.” It’s a reminder of how much it matters to listen to people and understand the challenges they face.

At Dressability, listening is where our work begins. Clothing can present difficulties that others might never notice. We take the time to understand what each person needs and adapt their clothes to help them feel more comfortable and independent.

Being able to wear the clothes you choose and get dressed with greater ease can make a real difference to confidence and wellbeing. Today, we’re recognising the connection between those everyday experiences and how people feel.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our clothing adaptations, please get in touch. Call 01793 512878 or email [email protected]

For information and support with mental health, visit https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/

07/10/2026

𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐊𝐌

We’re really pleased to see Dressability featured by AnnKM, sharing our story and the work we do to make clothing more accessible for people with disabilities and those with limited mobility.

The article looks at our clothing alterations and bespoke adaptations, our UK-wide postal service, the contribution of our fantastic volunteers and our work to reuse clothing that may otherwise go to waste.

Most importantly, it helps raise awareness of why our service is so important, helping people to feel more comfortable and independent through clothing that works for them.

It’s always great to have an opportunity to share the work of Dressability with a wider audience and highlight the difference that a relatively simple clothing adaptation can make.

You can read the full article here:

By: Erica Commisso  The team at Dressability understands that accessibility and clothing that works for your body means something different to everyone. It is for this reason, they have made it their mission to offer a personalized approach to accessibility for their entire community.&

01/10/2026

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭. 💚

A fastening that’s easier to manage, an opening that makes dressing simpler, or an alteration that improves comfort when seated can make a real difference to everyday life.

At Dressability, we adapt clothing for children and adults with disabilities, limited dexterity and other needs. Every person is different, so we listen to what’s difficult, what they’d like to wear and what would help them feel comfortable and independent.

You don’t have to live near Swindon to use our service. We also offer a postal service, so people further afield can get in touch to discuss an adaptation. If you’d like to see examples of our work, we can email or post you a free brochure, or you can collect one from us.

Find out more at https://www.dressability.org.uk/ or contact us on 01793 512878 or email at [email protected]

A friendly and welcoming charity which supports the clothing needs of individuals with disabilities and those with limited dexterity.

29/09/2026

𝐀 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐟 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬👩‍🍳

We recently received a large quantity of brand new chef jackets through our de-branding programme. They were in perfect condition, and we wanted to ensure they were put to good use for the benefit of the community.

Our volunteer Caroline contacted Swindon College to ask whether the jackets would be useful for their catering courses. They were delighted to receive them.

Some students have to wait for their bursaries to be approved before they can purchase a uniform. Having these jackets available helps them feel part of the team from the start.

At Dressability, we always strive for zero waste. It’s lovely to see the jackets being worn by students here in Swindon, keeping good clothing in use while supporting young people in our local community.

Our volunteers do so much for Dressability and the people around us. Caroline’s initiative is another wonderful example of the difference they make. 💚

If your business has uniforms, jackets or coats that could potentially benefit the community by being reused, please get in touch. Call 01793 512878 or email [email protected]

22/09/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞-𝐭𝐨-𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲

One of our clients was unable to find slippers that could accommodate the extensive swelling caused by lymphoedema.

Although making footwear from scratch is not something we typically offer, there were no suitable alternatives available. Our talented dressmaker Elsa therefore used donated fabrics to create these comfortable indoor slippers, complete with wide adjustable fastenings.

Thank you to everyone who donates fabric and sewing materials to Dressability. Your generosity helps our team provide practical solutions like this for people in our community.

If you or someone you care for has difficulty getting dressed, using standard fastenings or finding clothing that fits comfortably, please get in touch. Our team may be able to adapt existing clothing to make everyday life easier.

Contact [email protected] or call 01793 512878.

18/09/2026

Congratulations Anna!

A huge congratulations to Anna, who was crowned the winner of The Great British Sewing Bee 2026 this week.

Anna impressed throughout the series with her creativity and sewing skills, earning Garment of the Week three times along the way.

We particularly loved hearing that her sewing journey began by repairing and altering pre-loved clothes. Here at Dressability, we know just how valuable sewing and alteration skills can be, whether giving a much-loved garment a new lease of life or adapting clothing to make it more comfortable and accessible for someone with a disability.

It’s wonderful to see sewing and dressmaking celebrated on our screens and hopefully inspiring more people to pick up a needle and thread.

Congratulations Anna, and well done to all this year’s talented sewers!

16/09/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥

These pyjama separates were recently brought to Dressability to be adapted into a more suitable and secure outfit for one of our clients.

Our team joined the pyjama top and trousers together to create a comfortable jumpsuit, then added a secure zip and buttoned fastening at the back. The finished adaptation keeps the familiar look and feel of the original pyjamas while making them better suited to the client’s individual needs.

This is a great example of how everyday clothing can often be adapted rather than replaced. Whether someone needs alternative fastenings, easier access or separate garments joined together, our dressmakers will take the time to understand the problem and look for a practical solution.

If you or someone you care for could benefit from a clothing adaptation, call 01793 512878 or email [email protected]