Families in need during the summer holiday break can now benefit from a free school uniform drop initiative, organized by the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance. The program aims to assist families facing financial stress by providing them with new or nearly new school uniform items over the summer break.
Uniform packs, which will include a jumper, two polo shirts or shirts, and a pair of trousers or skirt, can be requested by families. Additional items like PE kits may also be available, depending on availability. The uniforms will be in excellent condition, ensuring that families receive high-quality items.
To collect the uniform packs, families can visit the Derbion Community Hub, located opposite Iceland on the ground floor, on specified dates. These dates include Friday, August 11 (10am-12pm), Friday, August 18 (1pm-3pm), Friday, August 25 (1pm-3pm), and Friday, September 1 (10am-12pm). Families can also collect uniforms from some of Derby’s Family Hubs on specific dates mentioned in the original article.
In addition to providing uniform packs, the initiative offers the chance for unwanted uniforms to be brought in and swapped for different sizes during the collection sessions. This provides families with an opportunity to ensure that their children have properly fitting uniforms for the upcoming school year.
To support as many families as possible, the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance is appealing to the public for donations of various uniform items. These items include blazers, jumpers, sweatshirts, and cardigans in all colors, as well as polo shirts, trousers, skirts, dresses, tights, socks, PE kits, and tracksuit bottoms and tops without patterns or designs. Donations must be nearly new and in excellent condition, and new items are also welcome. The drop-off locations for the donations include the Derbion outside Sainsbury’s and the Harrison Hub at Pride Park Stadium.
Paul Brookhouse, the project manager of the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance, emphasizes the importance of supporting families facing financial challenges to ensure that poverty does not negatively affect children’s education. By offering an easily accessible and coordinated approach, the alliance aims to address the high cost of school uniforms and provide assistance to those in need. The initiative also involves Derby City Council and Derby County Community Trust.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, the city council cabinet member for cost of living, equalities, and customer inclusion, reassures families about the burden of purchasing new school uniforms and school supplies. He encourages families to make requests for uniform packs, emphasizing how easy it is to do so.
Families interested in requesting uniform packs can email a school uniform request form to info@df4ta.onmicrosoft.com or call the community hub. The original article provides more details about the process.
The initiative’s commitment to supporting families in need is commendable, as it aims to alleviate financial strain and ensure that children have the necessary uniforms for their education. By addressing the root causes of food insecurity and providing accessible solutions, the alliance hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of citizens in Derby.
