A free school uniform scheme in Salford offers parents a financial lifeline as it operates all year round, adapting stock based on seasons and school terms
Carol Hughes, Locality Manager and Sam Hannam, Team Leader at Swinton Gateway(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Salford City Council is providing a “lifeline” to residents with its free school uniform scheme that is open to residents all throughout the year.
Families can get school uniforms for free at five locations around Salford thanks to donations from local residents, schools and occasionally supermarkets.
Demand from families is growing year on year – especially during the school holidays – but the scheme remains a “lifeline” all year long for many who are struggling with the increasing costs of uniforms.
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What started around five years ago as a small effort has now expanded to multiple locations to make it as accessible as possible, with local hubs in Eccles, Walkden, Pendleton, Little Hulton, and the largest hub at Swinton Gateway.
And, despite footfall having dropped since schools have gone back after summer, there are still days when people are at the hubs “all the time.”
Demand for the hub remains high despite the school year having already started(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Uniforms and accessories, such as shoes, bags, coats and pencil cases, are accepted by the community hubs, who want to “reduce financial stress and ensure their children have quality, comfortable uniforms to wear with pride.”
Carol Hughes, Locality Manager said: “It’s always really appreciated. I get lots of customers telling me what a great idea it is.
“It’s been really popular this summer, we’ve had absolutely loads of donations and we’ve got people coming in almost all of the time.
“Each year it’s built on it but I’d probably say it’s been our busiest year yet.
“We are a lifeline for many people and I think that’s demonstrated by the number of people who come in and use it and say how much it benefits them.”
Blazers are always in high demand at the centre(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The group tries to make the uniforms on offer suitable for the season to help with expenses as students grow and need new uniform throughout the year.
Blazers, shoes and P.E. kits are always in demand, as well as items with school logos on – which are distributed to the relevant hubs.
Occasionally parents come back to the hubs for a few days in a row to see if a certain item they need has been donated, Carol mentioned.
The hubs also serve as community anchors, offering a wide range of support and integrated services, such as NHS support, children’s services, food banks, and access to technology. A warm winter campaign is also run for homeless people in conjunction with the Rotary Club.
The donation hubs tailor their stock to the local schools(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Carol continued: “It’s been a real sort of community asset, I’d say.
“It’s not just one string. So it’s not just the uniforms – it’s ‘can we help them with food, can we help them with Salford Assist or the support schemes that we run’, so that people get to know about these centres.
“We have a lovely children’s centre just at the back, and parents will come when they’re expecting – the midwife runs out of there – and then their kids will come back themselves when they’re teenagers.
“I like to think that we’re a friend to the community, so that it’s a place that people think of as somewhere they can come for help, advice and activities.
“It’s about being part of the community and helping people.”
The school uniform donation hub at Swinton Gateway(Image: Manchester Evening News)
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In April, the Department for Education reported that families “are having to pay £442 on average to kit a child out for secondary school, and £343 for primary school, putting unnecessary financial pressure on families.”
Councillor Jim Cammell, Lead Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services at Salford City Council said: “Every child deserves to go through the school year feeling confident and ready to learn.
“That’s why it’s important that families who are experiencing the financial strain of uniform costs are aware of the options that we provide through invaluable free services such as the school uniform exchange.
“It can be a real challenge to be able to afford a brand new school uniform as families feel the pressure of rising costs, and we encourage schools to work with families to make uniforms affordable to people who struggle to afford them.
“The team who provide the school uniform exchange service are here to help families across Salford save hundreds of pounds on school essentials, reduce financial stress and ensure their children have quality, comfortable uniforms to wear with pride.”
People can visit the locations across Salford to access the free school uniform exchange for pick-up and drop-off at from Monday to Saturday. Donations and items available include: shirts, jumpers, trousers, shorts, skirts, dresses, blazers, coats, school bags, pencil cases and school shoes.