Salisbury non-profit aims to get school leavers kitted out for prom
Project Prom was set up to help those who can’t afford suits or dresses
A Salisbury non-profit is hoping that it can help those struggling with the cost of this year’s prom attire - by supplying school leavers with suits and dresses for free.
Project Prom currently operates out of the home of Vicki Jacobs, a mother of two who after witnessing the struggles of local teens to afford dresses last summer decided she wanted to change things.
She’s now amassed a collection of 100 dresses, and around a dozen suits - donated by Salisbury locals - which she gives out, with the hope that everyone can attend prom.
It’s a move that will be particularly welcome for some, as the cost of living rises, and Vicki says Project Prom aims to ‘lighten’ the financial stress people might feeling now:
“If you’ve got a daughter that would like a dress and it’s £300, yet you’ve got food shopping to buy, and electricity bills to pay and council tax, then it’s the choice of what do I do?
“Do I buy the dress or do I pay the bills? This is what my project is about, it’s just about lightening that financial load”.
She’s spoke to us about what’s it’s been like to see donations of dresses pouring in:
“It’s just crazy that someone will just give this to you. But every time someone drops it off they just say they just want to help, they’re just so glad they can help.”
She says this willingness to give reflects the generosity of the local community:
“It’s mindblowing, but that’s what the people of Salisbury are like, it’s just amazing."
She also spoke about the impact of Covid on proms, and the silverlining that’s now come about:
“A lot of the dresses are dresses that haven’t been worn because Covid hit, it’s really sad. But they (people donating) feel like they’re going to help other people.
“You know it’s sad that their daughter didn’t get to go, but at least someone else will get joy out of the dress, it’s really really sweet.”
The scheme's just rebranded itself to Project Prom, to make their mission statement clearer, and to show it's for all young people.
Vicki hopes that she can grow the business in time - to give those looking for a dress or suit the same special experience they would had they bought one from a high street store.
She’s receiving local help to make this happen - businesses like Guyatts, D&N construction and Nina Westbury Makeup all offering their help.
Whilst hosting an event at The White Hart Hotel in April will certainly help as another stepping stone to that goal.
She’ll be at the hotel on April 22nd, allowing students to see potential prom kit to get them ready for prom when it comes around.