A new initiative is giving young people in Inverness the chance to get active without worrying about what they wear.
The ‘Kit For All’ campaign has kicked off in the Highland capital, offering free sports clothing and footwear to those who need it most.
The idea is simple but powerful — remove the barrier of kit to open the door to participation.
Led by Active Schools Coordinators from the Inverness High School cluster, the scheme is built on community kindness and smart recycling.
Two drop-off bins have been set up in the city, ready to collect clean, good-quality kit for redistribution.
You’ll find one at Inverness Leisure and the other at Forge Gym on Carsegate Road North.
The kit collected will be passed to schools in the Inverness High School cluster, helping kids take part in sport without the worry of cost or clothing.
Highland Council stepped in to supply two large blue recycling bins to house donations.
And the local Developing the Young Workforce team is backing the project too, offering sorting and storage space to keep things running smoothly.
Craig Carswell from High Life Highland is the Active Schools Coordinator behind the push.
He says the aim is to widen participation while also tackling textile waste.
Items needed include trainers, boots, strips, jackets, t-shirts, socks and anything else that helps young people move.
Everything donated must be clean, in good condition and bagged before it goes in the bin.
Once collected, it will be sorted and distributed by a team including High Life Highland’s own Young Leaders.
The project launched on Friday at Inverness High School, recently crowned School of the Year at the Highland Heroes Awards.
High Life Highland Chief Executive Steve Walsh praised the scheme’s power to remove hidden barriers.
He encouraged anyone with unused kit to donate and help young people thrive through sport.
Also attending the launch was Councillor Michael Cameron, himself a former Inverness High pupil.
He believes the project not only promotes reuse but tackles stigma head-on.
“Good kit shouldn’t go to waste,” he said, “and no one should feel left out because of what they wear.”
The Highland Council’s Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson, agrees.
He hopes the scheme will be embraced by locals eager to give their gear a second life.
Sportscotland is also on board, with CEO Forbes Dunlop praising the expansion of the initiative.
Originally started by the Young People’s Sport Panel, ‘Kit For All’ has grown into a national movement with local heart.
The Inverness launch shows what can be achieved when communities and organisations come together.
If you’ve got kit that’s ready to inspire someone else, now’s the time to pass it on.
