Rooting through the racks of a hidden treasure trove making teenage prom dreams come true
A kind-hearted woman has been making teenage wishes come true who cannot afford to go to their school prom.
Josie Hardman from Ramsbottom set up a prom scheme in 2018 after hearing a school girl burst into tears after telling her friend her parents could not afford to send her to prom. Josie, 53, has transformed a containing unit in Bury into a treasure trove filled with a sea of elegant dresses, smart shoes and suits, statement heels and sparkling jewellery donated by the public for high school students to pick out their outfit for the special occasion, with 50 people a year using the prom scheme.
She said: “When I heard the girl on the bus I thought how sad. They should get to celebrate all their hard work over the years and be with their friends and make their memories. I thought I am sure I can do something about this.
“I never dreamed it would be this busy.”
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Josie initially ran the scheme from her dining room but as the demand grew she needed to expand her space and she began renting a unit in Bury last year. When Josie first started the scheme she was already inundated with around 200 dresses that were generously donated by the public. At first she only offered dresses but people began to ask for boy’s suits and after the covid pandemic she began to collect suits.
She continued: “People are absolutely elated and so happy and relieved their son or daughter has found something they like. Parents and their children are just overwhelmed and I have seen plenty of tears of joy.
“A few times I’ve been in tears with them and to see how happy they are, it feels good to help them. They are so grateful. A lot of these children wouldn’t be able to go to prom if it wasn’t for the prom scheme.
“Parents don’t have the money to spend on dresses and suits that will most likely only get worn once. Prom is a very expensive do. The girls want their make up and hair doing also and then there is the cars. It all adds up.
“The prom scheme is hard work but it is worth it.”
People from far and wide to use the scheme from Wigan, Liverpool, Warrington and Accrington. Many people who use the scheme donate the clothes back.
She has around 50 suits from big brand names such as Hugo Boss as well as Next and Slaters. There are a selection of shirts also available to match with the suits which come in a variety of colours including black, blue and grey and designs such as checked.
Visitors will also be able to browse up to 200 dresses from big princess dresses to mermaid tail dresses. There are a variety of dresses available to suit everyone’s tastes from luxurious dresses with jewels and designs on them plain and elegant dresses with stylish trails attached.
Josie even buys tiaras. There is an area at back of the unit where there is a privacy screen for visitors who would like to try on outfits.
Social services refer parents to Josie’s scheme who cannot afford to buy items for their children’s prom. Josie also sends flyers out to schools to spread the word.
Birtenshaw School in Bolton has referred their pupils to the scheme for around three years and many people hear about Josie’s environmentally friendly initiative through word of mouth. This year’s prom scheme opened on April 10.
There is no criteria for people to use the prom scheme. There is a £15 booking fee which helps Josie to cover the cost of having the unit.
Booking an appointment is essential. To book an appointment with Josie email: your_prom@yahoo.com