A permanent pre-loved school uniform hub is hoping to ease the burden for parents in the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
West Belfast community organisation Foodstock is opening the permanent uniform hub at their site on the Andersonstown Road. Foodstock has taken over a new unit at the premises to cater for the demand ahead of the summer.
Families will be able to visit the hub and take what they need for free, while members of the public are encouraged to donate or leave any items they no longer use so that they can be passed on.
Read more: Concern as legacy benefit claimants to be moved to Universal Credit in NI
Foodstock founder Paul Doherty said: "Expanding our pre-loved school uniform support is something we have been considering for some time, especially as we are seeing more and more people living in crisis in our communities as a result of the increase in the cost of living and lack of government here.
"Last year we were completely overwhelmed with the need that existed for people seeking uniforms for their children. At one point, we were kitting out up to 100 children per day in Andersonstown.
"We have been running this service for a number of years and demand is always huge, but the cost of living crisis has made things incredibly difficult for people and with the prices of uniforms continuing to climb into the hundreds of pounds we knew that as a community, we needed to continue to pull together to get people through this."
As a result of the initiative, Paul says they have seen a "huge weight being lifted from parents", many of whom were having sleepless nights about where they were going to find the money to purchase a uniform and send their children to school.
"Many working families who are not in receipt of uniform grants are availing of this community scheme also, as they too are feeling the impacts of raised mortgages and low pay," he added.
"The amount of families we have been able to help is a testament to the local community here and everyone who donated items of clothing to help those in need. This is solidarity within communities, not charity.
"'This initiative also is fantastic for the environment as many uniforms are normally destined for landfill but are now being repurposed and reused by families.
"We are anticipating huge demand for uniforms and are already accepting donations ahead of the summer holidays and new school year. The establishment of our new permanent hub will allow us to get a good head start on things and allow more families to get involved and swap items. I would encourage anyone that wants to get involved to call to our Community Solidarity Hub at 150 Andersonstown Road.
"No one should be pushed into debt as a result of the failure to deal with these costs. The price of these items has been a real impediment to children's education for many sadly. For years we have been waiting on political action when it comes to increasing the eligibility criteria for uniform grants and the capping of uniform costs also. Still we wait.
"In the meantime, our communities are coming together and making sure no one gets left behind."
READ NEXT:
- Cost of living: Majority of NI households could face fuel poverty by 2023
- DWP Cost of Living payments dates, who is eligible and everything else you need to know
- Northern Ireland childminders open up on the crippling impact of cost-of-living crisis
- Police investigating 171 reports that £600 energy vouchers were stolen in Northern Ireland
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
