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Trafford Centre has partnered with Manchester South Central Foodbank and local charity Bridging the Gap to launch a school uniform donation drive aimed at supporting over 700 children across Manchester this summer.

Help with the cost of school uniforms

According to a 2020 survey by The Children’s Society, 23% of parents reported that the cost of school uniforms led to their children wearing “ill-fitting, unclean or incorrect” items, highlighting the ongoing pressure faced by families.

Where you can donate uniforms at the Trafford Centre

From 1 July to 15 August, customers are encouraged to donate new or pre-loved school uniforms at Trafford Centre’s Guest Services Lounge, located on Lower Regent Crescent (next to M&S). Donated items must be clean and free from stains or damage.

What is the School Uniform project?

The cost of living crisis has seriously affected the Manchester community, with more and more families unable to afford the essentials. In Manchester, an area with 37% of children living in poverty, support for purchasing the essentials is absolutely critical for many families.

As an anti-poverty charity, South Manchester Central Foodbank identified several years ago the need for community support around the cost of school uniforms. Though school uniform costs vary between schools, they have found that the cost of a full set of logo-ed secondary school uniform is around £150.

This is a huge one-time expense that does not factor in the cost of non-logo items such as shirts and shoes. According to a 2020 survey conducted by The Children’s Society, 23% of parents said that the expense of school uniform led to their children having to wear “ill-fitting, unclean or incorrect uniform”.

To meet this need within the community (North Trafford & South Manchester) Bridging the Gap have been delivering uniform projects supporting families since 2022. They are confident of the effectiveness of their projects and the significant impact it has.

During the 24/25 financial year they supported over 500 children with both new and preloved school uniform.

You can find out more and donate to South Manchester Central Foodbank by clicking here

Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre

Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: “We’re proud to be working alongside Bridging the Gap and Manchester South Central Foodbank to support local families during these challenging times.

“School uniforms shouldn’t be a barrier to education, and we hope this initiative will ease some of the pressure many parents face as the new school year approaches.”

Manchester South Central Foodbank

Emily Jeremy, Assistant Project Manager at Manchester South Central Foodbank, added: “The cost-of-living crisis has deeply impacted our community, with more and more families unable to afford the essentials.

“As an anti-poverty charity, we recognised the need for school uniform support years ago. Though costs vary between schools, a full set of branded secondary school uniform can total around £150 – a significant burden for many households.”

You can find out more about the Trafford Centre’s partnership with the Manchester South Central Foodbank by clicking here

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