School uniform hub 'vital' for families

A woman who started a school uniform clothes bank 15 years ago has said the service "is going to be here for a long time" as parents continue to face financial pressures.

Nicola Alcock first set it up to redistribute second-hand school uniform items in Southport in 2010 after she found charity shops did not want to take her children's old school uniforms.

"I realised that there was a huge gap where people needed those items but couldn't afford them," she said.

She said the "vital" service, now known as The Uniform Hub, had seen an increase in demand from families where both parents worked but found themselves struggling to pay for uniforms.

"In the last few years the people that come to us now are working families they are mum and dad both working full-time earning a decent income but sadly the spare money just isn't there," she said.

"They will come to us and say they could not afford to replace their daughter's blazer or their son's PE kit."

The Uniform Hub has now opened at new premises in Cambridge Arcade in the town and provides items for primary and secondary schools across Southport.

School uniforms can be swapped for bigger sizes and the centre also accepts donations.

"You don't need to be referred to us, you don't need to be in receipt of free school meals," she said.

"This service is for everyone who needs it. Anyone can call in."

Ms Alcock said people had been "very kind" with "good quality" donations

She said she also hoped schools would do more to help parents by not requiring all items to feature school logos.

"School uniforms can be expensive for families and it can be quite stigmatising if your child doesn't have the correct school uniform," she said.

"I think some of it has gone too far a lot of the high schools now for PE you even have to have socks with the schools initials on them."

Local mum Tracey, who uses the hub, said her son "just wants to fit in and be like all of his friends and have the right uniform".

"I don't really agree with having it all being branded," she said.

"It would be much easier to just get plain stuff. It would be much more manageable."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.