Uniform for All brings welcome support to families facing soaring uniform costs

A local school uniform initiative is in full swing for recycling week as part of the commitment to supporting sustainable school uniform.

This week sees two events that families can attend to aces uniform they need. Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 September from 10.30am to 2.30pm the volunteers will be at Falinge Park in the community room.

Launched over the summer, the initiative saw over 2000 pieces of recycled and reused uniform across Rochdale.

Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet for children’s services and education, said: “The events we held over the summer were great so I’m really excited for the future of this scheme. It was great to be able to help so many families out and put so many perfectly good uniforms to good use. This project is not only helping the growing number of families living in poverty within our Borough, but it’s also helping us all to recycle more clothing and act more sustainably.” 

Concern is growing about the financial strain purchasing uniform places on a family each year. Uniform for All was developed to help those struggling to meet these costs by offering a service where you can call or email when you are in need. It is now run by volunteers on Facebook: Uniform4A, where you can send requests and get information daily about what’s available.

The Children’s Society estimates that it costs approximately £255 a year per child for everything they need for primary school. It then grows to £340 per child when they reach secondary school, with the largest cost item being a blazer with the school emblem. 

Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Neil Emmott, said: “I’m really proud of our borough coming together on this wonderful scheme. It ticks two big priorities for me – it helps families who need it and it is a much more environmentally friendly way of getting new school uniform.”

“School uniform is both costly to our families and our environment and we’re committed to support families where we can. Government might be dragging their feet on the affordable uniform law but we’re not sitting back, we’re determined to make a change.”

The voluntary group runs regular events at Falinge Park and The Hub at The Strand in Kirkholt. It sees local councillors provide some funds to the initiative. The Co-Op at Cutgate Precinct and The Strand in Kirkholt is where people can drop off items, Crystal Wash Launderette on Rooley Moor Road support with laundering the items too. Uniform For All are always looking for more volunteers who can help sort, organise and iron too.

As the service relies on donations of uniform, there is no guarantee that everything will be available but they are building up a healthy stock of jumpers, cardigans, shirts, skirts, ties, trousers, blazers, shoes, PE bags, summer dresses, winter coats and lunch bags. There are also some items for Rainbows and Scouts groups too.

If anyone wishes to donate uniform items for local schools you can drop off items at the Co-Op store in Cutgate, Crystal Wash and The Strand in Kirkholt.

If you would like to become a drop off point, or have storage the group can use, please contact Councillor Rachel Massey or Uniform For All on their Facebook page facebook.com/Uniform4A