Thousands of 'school essentials' donated to children in South Wales
1963 backpacks were donated to schoolchildren across South Wales including essentials such as shoes, uniform and stationary, says charity Faith in Families
Last updated 1st Sep 2025
A campaign has been launched to help parents cope with the cost of buying clothes and other items for their children ahead of the new school term.
The Multibank charity, founded by former prime minister Gordon Brown, is planning to support more than 10,500 children across the UK by partnering with major brands to donate backpacks containing back-to-school items for families in need.
1963 backpacks donated to schoolchildren in South Wales:
This summer, over 3335 individuals were helped in the Swansea area with 1963 backpacks donated to schoolchildren.
The backpacks included essentials such as shoes, uniform and stationary:
The so-called Kits For Kids campaign is being rolled out by The Multibank in six communities in Wales, Scotland, Greater Manchester, London, Tees Valley and Birmingham.
The campaign follows research by a Multibank charity partner, The Felix Project, which found that 67% of teachers in the UK are concerned the children they teach will have experienced hunger over the summer holidays.
Cherrie Bija is Chief Executive of Faith in Families, based in Swansea.
The organisation runs Community Cwtches across Swansea Bay as well as Wales Multibank Cwtch Mawr.
"We hear from families every day who are making impossible choice"
She says:
"The return to school is an incredibly stressful time for many families.
"The cost of uniforms, shoes, stationery, and even packed lunches has risen sharply. For parents already struggling with rent, food, and energy bills, the added pressure of back-to-school costs can push them into crisis.
"We hear from families every day who are making impossible choices—between heating their homes, feeding their children, or buying the basics their children need to feel equal to their classmates.
"Providing these school bags removes one barrier and helps children start the year with dignity and confidence."
The backpacks for primary school pupils include a lunch bag, water bottle, colouring pens, a notepad and more, while those being given to students at secondary school contain a scientific calculator, a geometry set and a notepad among useful supplies.
Mr Brown said:
"The hunger, poverty and the lack of opportunity being experienced by so many children across Britain this saddens all of us, but I am heartened too by the compassion across The Multibank which brings businesses and charities together to make a real difference and bring hope and the much-needed stuff of household life to families and children experiencing poverty.
"Demand for our services has grown significantly. "
Cherrie continues saying more and more people are needing their services:
"Demand for our services has grown significantly.
"Across Swansea, more families are coming to our Community Cwtches and to Cwtch Mawr Multibank for help.
"This rise is largely due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
"For many families, there’s simply nothing left at the end of the month. Our services are a lifeline, and sadly, the numbers show that more and more people are slipping into poverty."
The Welsh Government says:
“Our School Essentials Grant helps lower income families with the purchase of uniform and equipment and has helped more than 90 per cent of eligible learners with school costs.
"Our statutory guidance on school uniform policy says that affordability should be a priority, and branded items should not be compulsory."