Do you have compression garments sitting unused at home?
What happens when community advocacy meets university-level science? Talk Lipoedema has joined forces with the School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University, led by Dr Lisa Macintyre, together with Research Associates Dr Gigi Jiang and Dr Sophia Murden — and the experts at ACS Clothing. Together, they're running an inspiring new pilot project to build a professional, sanitised, and sustainable circular system for compression garments.
You can find out more about this project at talklipoedema.org/about.
Give Your Garments a Second Life: Compression Reuse Pilot
Talk Lipoedema is working alongside circular fashion specialists ACS Clothing and sustainable textile researchers atHeriot-Watt University to test the feasibility of a groundbreaking compression reuse service. Their goal is to give pre-owned garments a second life, making essential compression therapy much more affordable for people living with lipoedema. To make this vital pilot a success, they need donations!
They are looking for ready-made or made-to-order compression garments, including tights, leggings, stockings, and sleeves. If you are unsure which type you have, simply check the label—if it shows standard sizes like S, M, L, XL, Roman numerals (e.g., I, II, III, IV), or a number, it can be donated! Please note that made-to-measure garments designed for specific body measurements cannot be accepted at this stage, though the partners hope to include them in the future.
They are warmly welcoming garments that are:
- New or unworn, but don't fit.
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Lightly worn for less than six months
- Stained—this is completely fine, as all items will be professionally cleaned and sanitised.
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Ideally, including any original packaging and product leaflets if you still have them, as these contain very useful size and product information.
ESSENTIAL — Please only donate if:
- The care label and size label are attached—the team needs these to list and size items accurately.
- The garment has no holes, ladders, broken elastic, or damage—items that cannot be resold cost the service money to sort and dispose of, which could put the entire pilot scheme at risk.
Ready to donate? It is quick, and postage is completely free as the partners cover the cost.
To get started, simply head to: https://www.talklipoedema.org/donate-2
Every good-quality donation of ready-made compression directly helps them prove that this service can work for the community. Thank you!
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