Oldham school uniform bank to continue to help families

The Salvation Army's Uniform Hub in Oldham is to continue throughout the year due to demand

An Oldham school uniform bank that supported over 100 families over the summer ahead of the new school year has decided to keep its doors open as more families than ever find themselves being pushed into poverty.

The Salvation Army, located at Fir Tree Lane Precinct in Fitton Hill, provided key uniform staples such as polo shirts, trousers, blazers and skirts, to families ahead of the new school year starting in a bid to combat the financial troubles that many face when children return to school.

Now, The Salvation Army has decided to provide pre-loved and new school uniform all year round as many families find they need more than one new uniform every year.

Kim Rogers, community engagement co-ordinator at The Salvation Army in Fitton Hill, said: “Some children grow at a fast rate and school uniforms purchased at the beginning of the school year might not fit by the time the second term comes around which results in more parents needing to stretch their finances and budgets sooner than they thought.

“We know that many families within our community struggle, with many living day to day, wage packet to wage packet, living in times of crisis and as such we have made the decision to continue to operate our uniform hub throughout the whole year, ensuring families have the resources and support to access additional uniform items at a heavily reduced or zero cost.

"We want to be there when clothes get ruined or are outgrown and lift the financial pressures, providing the practical support that many have come to rely on.”

The uniform hub is a cost-effective alternative to buying new school uniforms and offers the basics of shirts, polo tops, trousers and skirts, but also carries extras such as sportswear, blazers and jumpers as well as some branded items for schools in the area.

Donations of pre-loved and new school uniforms are welcome and can be donated at the church and community centre in Fitton Hill.

For people looking to support but have no school uniform to contribute, financial donations of any size are also welcome, but people are encouraged to only give what they can afford.

Donations can be made via The Salvation Army Oldham Fitton Hill’s Just Giving page here

Kim added: “We just want to do our best for the local community and through the Uniform Hub we are able to support families in our area in this way, which is at the very heart of what The Salvation Army do.

"We wouldn’t be able to run it without the generous and kind donations, a key example of others helping others.”

The Uniform Hub is run by The Salvation Army and staffed by volunteers.

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