Manchester Social Enterprise, Stand4Socks Steps Up For Hospitals

Manchester-based social enterprise, Stand4Socks, makes emergency socks for our NHS workers, to help with the fight against COVID-19.

We’ve all heard of our front line staff struggling to receive the critical equipment they need to keep safe. When Stand4Socks were contacted by a handful of hospitals asking for an urgent supply of socks, they decided to step up.

They quickly learnt that PPE only covers down to the ankles, leaving socks exposed and needing to be left in hospitals. so that they can be washed at high temperatures, after each shift. This means that hospitals are in need of durable socks in an abundant supply.

Social entrepreneur, Josh Turner (29), who appeared on BBC Dragons’ Den, quickly decided that his business could effectively help by tweaking their ‘Buy 1 Give 1’ business model, to a ‘Buy 1 Give 2’ model.

Previously, for each pair of socks sold online, Stand4 Socks donated a specially engineered antibacterial pair to someone who is homeless, with more than 41,000 pairs of socks being donated across the UK to date.

To help the NHS, the team designed a new sock called Stand4 our Health Heroes, which features an ensemble of clapping hands and the words ‘Clap for our Heroes.’

Available for pre-order, due to the company’s ethical Sedex assured factories being closed for safety, purchasing this sock leads to 2 sock donations instead of 1.

The first pair donated continues to go to homeless shelters, which have seen a huge surge in demand and, as their core cause, Stand4Socks’ work supporting the homeless stays the same.

The second pair goes straight to one of our Health Heroes, as they tirelessly stand up to COVID-19 in our NHS hospitals.

“Everyone wants to do what they can to help currently, but often, they don’t know how. When I learnt about the NHS staff staying in hotels to protect their own families – I knew that this was something so small and simple that we could do to play our part. The response from our customers has been fantastic and makes me so proud.“
Josh Turner, Founder of Stand4Socks

This forward-looking business, with true heart and soul, all began as the result of a throw-away question that founder Josh posed to some friends on a night out:

“What if socks could change the world?“

He was fed up with socks being poorly-made and treated as dull afterthoughts. For too long, they had been considered that gift that no-one wanted to receive on Christmas Day, which is ironic, considering that we wear them for an average of 16 hours per day.

Josh has always championed the idea that business is the greatest force for good. Using ethically sourced yarns, responsible production, 100% home composable mail bags and donating a pair (or 2) for each sold, the brand is doing good for the planet and the people living on it.

He hopes to take a positive step forward and show the market that not all fashion brands are the same, and who knows – maybe socks could change the world.

Josh was awarded the ‘Great British High Street Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2017, and was shortlisted for the ‘Environmental Social Enterprise’ of 2019. Socks are being donated directly to NHS wards within 72 hours of socks being pre brought. The brand hopes to donate over 1,000 pairs in the next month.

You can find out more about Stand4Socks here.