Demand soars at school uniform banks across Wakefield after £1.3 million funding cut

Hundreds of families have been turning to school uniform banks across Wakefield and the Five Towns for help.

Hayley Millward, founder of Featherstone Uniform Bank, said: “We have noticed more families contacting us.

“Some families had budgeted expecting to receive the support and then found that it was no longer available”.

Earlier this year, councillors in Wakefield voted in favour of cutting the school uniform fund by £1.3m.

The Reform UK-led council implemented a new scheme, costing £700,000, which replaced the £2m scheme approved by the previous Labour administration to provide all school children with free uniform vouchers.

In response, school uniform banks across the district have said that they have seen a rise in families getting in touch.

Primary school teacher Hayley first set up Featherstone Uniform Bank in 2020 so that local families could access good-quality secondhand uniforms without feeling judged.

“For us, the uniform bank isn’t just about providing clothes”. She continued.

“It is about taking some of the financial pressure away from families and making sure children can go into school feeling comfortable and confident in their uniform”.

Like the Featherstone bank, Normanton School Uniform Exchange has also seen a rise in families needing their help.

Founder of Normanton School Uniform Exchange, Tracy Morgan, said: “The cut in uniform support by the Reform-led Wakefield Council has greatly affected local families with more people using our exchange.

“In addition, we noticed an increase in families using the exchange who live outside of Normanton, coming from all over Wakefield.”

Across the six week holidays, the uniform bank gave out 3,003 items of free uniform to 456 families.

Tracy continued: “And from speaking to parents, it was clear that more families who are not on benefits and thus not eligible for school uniform vouchers were using our services”.

Upon approving the new scheme, the council shared that the support would be available only to “those who need it most”, including children eligible for free school meals and families experiencing hardship.

Sue Stamp set up Small Steps, on Dewsbury Road, in 2018 and has seen an increase in demand for the charity’s services each year.

Sue said: “We have found a year on year increase in demand for our help since 2021 and this year the percentage increase has exceeded previous years”.

Thanks to grants and donations from the local community, Small Steps has been able to buy in specific items and extend its provision to include underwear, toiletries and stationery.

However, recently, the bank has seen a particular demand for secondary school uniforms and branded items.

Sue continued: “There has been an increase in all areas but parents with children of secondary age (especially those entering year seven) have been particularly affected.

“We started getting referrals for the beginning of term in May this year – such was the level of anxiety for parents.”

The school uniform banks all rely on donations, and are urging families across the district to recycle their old uniforms.

Speaking on how to help local banks, Sue said: “Donations are incredibly important to us because we rely on the generosity of local people to keep the bank going.

“We are always grateful for every donation, particularly branded uniforms that families may have grown out of but are still in good condition.”

In response to the charities’ claims, a Wakefield Council spokesperson said: “Every family in receipt of free school meals still received a voucher.

“A hardship fund was set up specifically to support families who weren’t in receipt of free school meals but were facing difficulties.

“This is being administered in partnership with Wakefield schools and will help families identified as needing support in purchasing school uniform items.”