Local authority supports Staffordshire families facing crisis as back-to-school costs soar
Families in Staffordshire have been getting a helping hand thanks to a project providing free pre-used school uniforms
A local authority is supporting families across Staffordshire that are struggling with back-to-school costs, through a clothing bank.
The Pre-Loved Uniform Market (PLUM) is run by Staffordshire County Council’s libraries service and The Salvation Army.
The project allows local families to pick up items of clothing at key dates during the year, to help support them with their children’s school uniform needs.
Since the scheme launched in 2020, over 15,000 items have been handed out and local families have been able to save £91,000 in total.
Victoria Wilson is the cabinet member for communities and culture at Staffordshire County Council.
She said: “I remember going back to the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were talking about the cost of living, and people that were on a low income were struggling. This project was led by the county councillors, particularly across Cannock Chase, as we recognise that there was a gap there and we said right, what can we do through the libraries and arts service that will help people. We worked with the Salvation Army and people started bringing their pre-loved school uniform items into Cannock Library.
“It's been extremely well attended. We know that school uniforms can be really expensive. So, when you've got more than one child, the costs obviously do quickly add up and providing these items free of charge to those families who need just that little bit of extra help means that they can put their money towards other essential household bills.
“This is also a nod to reusing and making use of preloved items. There’s the environmental benefit too, because you're not buying things new when you don't need to. Donating perfectly good items of clothing and footwear that haven't been used particularly long can have a new lease of life and it's a really successful idea.”
Research commissioned by responsible lender Creditspring showed that to afford back-to-school costs after the summer holidays, many parents will be forced to borrow – nearly four in ten (37%) parents say they expect spending on supplies will put them into debt.
Meanwhile, over one in ten (13%) of parents will have to turn to their overdraft and 10% will need to use Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) products to fund essential school equipment
The team at PLUM are calling on anyone with unwanted or unused items to donate them at either Cannock or Stafford Library or the Salvation Army Church, Hednesford.