One last dance: How a Salford Mum is making prom dreams a reality
Prom dreams don’t have to come with a price tag – thanks to one mum in Salford who’s making sure no one misses out on their final school celebration.
Everyone remembers their final day at school – often described as the last day of freedom before the ‘real world’ begins. And for those lucky enough, there’s one last celebration: prom night.
That final dance offers a chance to say goodbye, celebrate achievements and share a moment with school friends before heading off on life’s next adventure. But for some, what should be a joyful rite of passage brings unexpected stress – and not just from trying to squeeze into post-BBQ-season trousers, as I learned from my own prom experience. The real issue? The cost of prom attire.
But as I remember my prom outfit, I know it is still in the back of my wardrobe collecting dust. So when I walked into the Salford Step into Action facility in Walkden, I was taken aback when greeted by a vast number of dresses, blazers, fabrics, shoes, belts, ties, and trousers - a generosity from a community - led by a community hero Rebecca Marshall.
Rebecca – or Becky, as everyone calls her – started the initiative while searching for a prom suit for her son.
“When my youngest was approaching his prom date, we realised what an enormous expense it was,” she says. “I’d just come out of work, having left my job at the time.
“I was quite lucky as I was able to get help from my parents, but it made me realise that many people don’t have that option. And it wasn’t just the odd one or two – some school friends couldn’t go just because of the financial issue.”
That’s become even harder with the rise of the American-style prom in the UK, replacing the traditional school disco or formal dinner with something more extravagant – and expensive.
“I didn’t have a prom myself – I had a school disco,” Becky adds. “Young people don’t understand where the prom culture came from, but it’s become an expectation – and it’s not their fault.
“For parents it’s so difficult. Prom outfits are like cakes. If you ask a baker for a cake with white icing, it’s a tenner. If you ask for a white wedding cake, suddenly there are more zeroes.”
Faced with the thought of kids missing out, Becky decided to act.
“Seeing that people couldn’t go, I posted on Facebook asking if anyone had any spare clothes for prom – it’s their final night together before moving on.
“Within a few weeks, my living room was full of clothes. Then Gemma from Salford Step Into Action saw the post and said, ‘You can’t do all this from your living room,’ and offered me this space.”
Now, walking around the Walkden unit, the transformation is clear. From helping 17 children last year, Becky has already supported more than 100 in 2024.
“This year we’ve helped so many more people. The response has been amazing. People’s old prom outfits are just collecting dust somewhere.”
Among the donations are designer labels – including a DKNY suit with its original price tag – proof that people are willing to help without fear of judgement.
“Parents are hesitant to take their children to charity shops, especially when they still charge. Some just feel uncomfortable,” she admits.
But at Becky’s unit, there’s something for everyone – all completely free.
“We’ve got one strap, two straps, puffy, slim, every colour, every style – no straps, straight dresses, you name it,” she says.
“The thought of letting your child down is heartbreaking. Even I hate saying no. If I can take that pressure off a parent, it’s heartwarming.”
Her passion for supporting young people runs deep. Through her organisation, BodyMind Educate, Becky has spent over 12 years working with children and adolescents across schools, youth centres, the NHS and residential settings, including five years as an Advanced Sexual Health Education Practitioner.
“I want to help people educate themselves from childhood to young adulthood,” she says. “Prom has been one way to support them. I want them to love themselves before they reach adulthood and feel empowered to make their own choices.
“We’re fortunate to work with Salford Step Into Action, which helps families with food, clothing and support, so we can offer more than just an outfit.”
Continuing to speak to Becky, I could see the passion for helping people light up on her face - no one has asked her to do this, and yet she continues to make sure that people will have the memory of their prom night for life.
And as we walked round, she told me with a beaming smile: “There isn’t a price on helping people - it is wonderful.”
Her one-to-one appointments ensure a safe, stigma-free experience. She even spaces bookings for pupils at the same school so they don’t run into each other.
“Everyone comes here for kindness. We want to give them the freedom to enjoy prom shopping with their parents – not to feel like it’s a competition.
“The appointments help us make it a special experience, and they tie into my workshops with BodyMind Educate.”
Through these sessions, Becky has seen another side of Salford’s youth.
“We get a lot of nervous kids at first – they feel a bit awkward. But once they’re in, they love it. They can try on four or five dresses – though some manage to find the one in just nine minutes. I don’t know how they do it – Wonder Woman pace,” she laughed.
She pointed out a £275 dress, price tag still attached, donated from a Cheshire boutique.
“That could be a weekend holiday for some families. We just tell people: it’s a shop without a till.”
With the end of term approaching, Becky has been flooded with appointments – but she’s determined to see every child who needs help.
“Last Saturday was so busy. When I got home I had to go straight to bed – even my arms were knackered from carrying dresses. I’ll be happy for a rest, but I’ll miss it. There’s no price on helping people. It’s wonderful.”
What started with a Facebook post is now a lifeline for dozens of families. For Becky, it’s not just about giving away a dress or a suit – it’s about giving young people a memory, without fear or worry.
“It used to take a village to raise a child. That doesn’t exist anymore – but this community group helps fill that gap. And I promise, I’ll be doing this right up until prom night. Anyone can contact me.”
Thanks to Becky’s vision – and the generosity of the community – no one has to miss out on their one last dance.
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What’s On in Salford this week
🏳️🌈 The Pink Picnic is Salford’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Non-binary, plus pride celebration. The event takes place in Peel Park, Salford on Saturday 21 June and is organised and delivered by Salford Pride. More information can be found here.
🛹 The Coping Festival returns for the 6th year, at Graystone Action Sports on Saturday 21 June - action sports and the creative community come together to build a festival of ‘kind and rad vibes’, raising money for well-being charities. More information can be found here.
🏉 Salford Red Devils host Hull FC in a must-win game for the home side. Salford will be looking for their second win of the season, in what has been a difficult season. The game will be hosted on Sunday 22 June at 3pm at the Salford Community Stadium.
Photo of the week: Irlam Bridge, Liverpool Road 1965
The construction of the Manchester Ship Canal in the 1890s brought significant changes to the local railway lines in Salford. A new elevated section of track had to be built 75 feet above the water to allow sea-going vessels to pass underneath.
To maintain the necessary gradients from the canal to Irlam Station, Liverpool Road had to be realigned and excavated. A new railway bridge was constructed over it, along with a new, higher-level station. An iron bridge was also built to carry the original track—still in use at the time—over the newly lowered section of road.
At one point, three separate railway bridges spanned Liverpool Road, coexisting for over several years. The Soap Works ended its use of the canal-linked lines in 1959. The Manchester Ship Canal Company continued operating goods trains along the route until 1965, after which the line was closed.
Today, only two of the original three bridges remain, serving as striking reminders of the area’s industrial transformation.
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