School uniform support for families in need
Published: 24 July 2023
Families can collect uniform packs this summer
Free school uniform items will be available for families who are struggling with the cost of living this summer.
As the six-week holiday approaches, food banks see an increase in demand as parents and carers are faced with the extra pressure of buying new school uniform and school supplies. To support families who are struggling with the cost of living, the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance are coordinating a school uniform drop, swap and pick up service to help ease some financial stress this summer.
Working in partnership with Derby City Council, Derby County Community Trust and Derbion, the initiative will allow families to request uniform packs which will include a jumper, two polo shirts or shirts and a pair of trousers or skirt. Additional items, such as PE kits, may also be provided subject to availability. All items will be new or nearly new and in excellent condition.
Once a request has been made and processed, families will be able to collect uniform packs from the Derbion Community Hub, located opposite Iceland on the ground floor on the following dates:
- Friday 11 August 10am-12pm
- Friday 18 August 1pm-3pm
- Friday 25 August 1pm-3pm
- Friday 1 September 10am-12pm
Unwanted uniform can also be brought in and swapped for different sizes during these sessions.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Equalities and Customer Inclusion said:
We know that the cost of new school uniforms and school supplies is a burden to many families and want to reassure anyone who is worried about this that you are not alone. The cost of living crisis is still very real and there’s a lot of support available for those whose household budget just won’t stretch that far.
If you are worried about the cost of purchasing school uniform for the next academic year, please do make a request for a uniform pack, it’s very easy to do.
A big thank you to Derby County Community Trust, Derbion and everyone else involved in supporting our city’s families in need. If any citizens or organisations can donate uniform or volunteer time, please get in touch with Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance who will gladly welcome your support.
Paul Brookhouse, Project Manager, Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance said:
It’s important that we support families who are feeling the impact of the last three years to access school uniform and prevent poverty from having a negative effect on children’s education.
We’re aware of the high cost of school uniform and believe that an easily accessible, coordinated approach is the best way to support those who need it. By identifying solutions to the root causes of food insecurity, we hope to support citizens and make accessing food provision as easy as possible.
Requests for uniform packs can be made by emailing a school uniform request form to info@df4ta.onmicrosoft.com or by calling the Community Hub on 01332 346266.
Uniform can also be collected from some of Derby’s Family Hubs on the below dates:
- Osmaston/Allenton Family Hub – Friday 25 August 10am - 12pm. For more information, email Becket.ChildrensCentre@derby.gov.uk or call 01332 640250.
- Becket Family Hub – Wednesday 30 August 10am – 4pm. For more information, email boulton.childrenscentre@derby.gov.uk or call 01332 956850.
To support as many families in need as possible, Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance are appealing to any citizens and local organisations who are able to help for donations of the following items:
- Blazers, jumpers, sweatshirts, cardigans in all colours
- Polo shirts, trousers, skirts and dresses
- New tights and socks
- PE kits
- Tracksuit bottoms and tops without patterns or designs
All donations must be nearly new and in excellent condition. Brand new items will also be gladly accepted.
These can be placed in the donation box in the Derbion outside Sainsburys, or at to the Harrison Hub at Pride Park stadium.
For more information about donations or collections, visit the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance website.