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Aug 07, 2023

Mum who set up the Bury St Edmunds School Uniform Bank on Facebook asks parents to donate as children head back

More news, no ads A former Bury St Edmunds head, the CEO of a Suffolk charity, and a mum who has set up a uniform bank, have spoken about the financial pressures many parents are facing. Over the

More news, no ads

A former Bury St Edmunds head, the CEO of a Suffolk charity, and a mum who has set up a uniform bank, have spoken about the financial pressures many parents are facing.

Over the coming week, children across the county will return to the classroom however due to the current-cost-of-living it could be a stressful time for parents

The charity Home-Start in Suffolk has has highlighted the worries of parents and carers, which include affording school uniform.

At the weekend Geoff Barton, former head of King Edward VI School in Bury St Edmunds said schools should help parents with school uniform costs by cutting back on the amount of branded items pupils are required to wear.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said he is aware of a primary school governor who has opened up their school during the summer holidays to allow parents and carers to buy cut-price second-hand uniforms.

Kerri Childs, 33, from Bury St Edmunds is one of those trying to help parents in need during the back-to-school period.

Bury St Edmunds School Uniform Bank

The mum-of-three is encouraging parents to get involved with the Bury St Edmunds School Uniform Bank on Facebook.

Anyone living in the Bury area with second-hand uniform to give away for free, or sell at a small cost, all they need to do is post details on the page.

In 2020 Kerri started storing donated second-hand uniform in her shed however had to stop after discovering a leak.

Kerri said: “It was sad because a lot of kind families locally donated clothes and a lot of people came to me in need.

“For now it’s just on Facebook, if I had storage I would definitely store clothes again.”

She explained said: “Some parents found it very embarrassing having to ask for help, not just parents out of work but parents that have full time jobs, with the cost of living people are living day-to-day.”

The mum is now keen that parents carry on supporting each other by sharing pre-loved school items in the group, which can be found on Facebook here.

Kerri is keen to thank Claire LaRue and Rachel Hammond who help her moderate the school uniform group, which has more than 600 members.

Tara Spence, chief executive officer of charity Home-Start in Suffolk is concerned that parents have already been at ‘breaking-point’ during the school summer holidays.

She highlighted families ‘trying to occupy children on a shoestring budget’ whist paying for 46 additional lunches and holiday clubs as well as supporting children who ‘rely on the structure and support that a school day brings’.

Tara said: “Thoughts turn to the purchase of school uniform, shoes, bags and all other required items, the pressure mounting to spend money that many don’t have.”

According to the charity the average cost is £287 for primary, and £422 for secondary school, uniforms.

She continued: “Coupled with returning stress of school runs, the morning routine, the transition back to school for children that have only just settled into the summer holiday routine, the worries of how to fit homework and reading into the day.

“How to get one set of school uniform washed and dry when only one set could be afforded.

“The cost of before and after school support, the cost of the inevitably ruined shoes by October half term.

“And this all of top of the stresses already faced by families; illness, disability; mental health challenges; relationship breakdowns; rent increases and domestic abuse.”

A spokeswoman for Home-Start in Suffolk added: “With the beginning of September heralding a return to school, we would love to hear from potential volunteers, and particularly from people whose children are starting secondary school, so that when summer 2024 reaches us, we can help the many families that ask for help.”

More information about the charity can be found on the Home-Start in Suffolk website and social media channels.”