One group of girls from Hindley has come up with a solution for young women who may be feeling the pressure of finding an expensive and lavish dress.
Prom outfits can cost £300 for the dress alone. Throw in the need for shoes, handbags, spray tans and even a limousine for transport and the end of year party can soon turn into an expensive and stressful experience.
Hindley Girls Group, run by Wigan Council’s Youth Service, have teamed up with Wigan and Leigh Hospice to organise a dress drop off.
They are calling on women across the borough to donate any dresses they no longer use so that young women can buy them at reasonable prices for their high school proms.
Wigan Council Youth Worker Lisa Russon said: “Prom events and the dresses are just getting bigger and bigger every year and this puts a lot of pressure on young people and their parents.
“Some young people might say to their friends they can’t be bothered with the end of year prom and that they don’t want to go. The reality is that they might actually be embarrassed because they cannot afford to go.
“The prom can be stressful for young people experiencing peer pressure from their friends and for their parents who are having to find this amount of money to pay for the night out.
“If women across the borough donated a nice dress they never wear anymore they would be helping other young girls out and raising some money for Wigan and Leigh Hospice at the same time.”
Hindley girls get ready for the Summer Proms season... without breaking the bank.
Beth Hoyle, 15, a member of Hindley Girls Group said: “There are only two times in your life that you might get to wear a big dress like this – your wedding and your high school prom.
“You want to feel like a princess so there is a lot of pressure to get a gorgeous dress that no one else has.”
Dresses can be donated at any one of the twelve Wigan and Leigh Hospice shops across the borough, which are located in Ashton, Atherton, Golborne, Hindley, Newtown, Pemberton, Platt Bridge, Shevington, Standish, Wigan and Leigh (two stores).
Making the most of Prom night
After all the preparations, it’s important that prom night is a night to remember for all the right reasons.
Here are some top tips that have been put together by local young people and youth workers to help you stay safe on prom night:
- Try to travel with others if you are taking a taxi.
- Always let someone at home know where you are going and when you will be back.
- Take a mobile phone with you (with credit on and fully charged up).
- Take a spare taxi number with you.
- Take enough money for a taxi home and keep it in a separate place to the rest of your money so that you don’t accidentally spend it.
- Consider carrying a personal alarm.
- Agree with your friends that you will all look out for each other and try to stay together on the night.
At the prom:
- Don’t flash your mobile or your money around.
- Try to stay with your group of friends.
- Avoid aggressive people.
- If you feel strange after having a drink (including soft drinks) tell a friend or teacher immediately to make sure they stay with you and help you to get home safely.
- Remember it is illegal for under 18s to buy or be bought alcohol. Adults who buy alcohol for young people under 18 can face big fines.
- If you have been drinking alcohol, know your limits and don’t lose control of yourself. l Make sure you don’t do anything you might regret the next day.
- If you think you or a friend have had too much to drink and you feel unwell get some help from a responsible adult.
- Remember 999 is free to call in an emergency. Don’t be scared to call if you really need it.
- NEVER let anyone talk you into doing anything that you don’t want to do. Be confident, look after yourself and your friends.
Follow these safety tips and have a brilliant time!
