Cost-of-living pressure eased as Normanton families receive food and uniform support
Hundreds of families in a Normanton are receiving support with food and school clothing costs as community organisations continue efforts to tackle rising living pressures.
The support is being delivered through a partnership between local groups and the evo Foundation, which has provided funding to The Well Project and the Normanton School Uniform Exchange.
The foundation has provided £1,200 to the uniform exchange, a volunteer-led service that distributes free school uniforms to local families while helping reduce textile waste.
Founder Tracy Morgan said: "We purchased 46 items of new uniform, including jogging bottoms, girls' trousers, jumpers and PE T-shirts, which we had run out of.
"We will be purchasing more white polo shirts in the near future as they are in high demand.
"I would like to thank evo Foundation for its continued support. Your kindness is really making a difference to local families."
The funding comes at a time when the affordability of school uniforms has been under discussion across the Wakefield district following recent changes to the council's support scheme.
The Reform-led council recently announced changes to its uniform support programme, replacing a district-wide voucher scheme with more targeted support for lower-income households, a move expected to reduce spending on the initiative by £1.3 million.
The uniform exchange scheme, run entirely by volunteers, provides free uniforms to local families while preventing reusable clothing from ending up in landfill.
The foundation has committed £500 per month to The Well Project, a charity based at Haw Hill Park that operates a food bank and a range of wellbeing and youth services for local residents.
Funding is helping provide food and essential supplies to families referred through health services, social care teams, counsellors and other support organisations.
Approximately £500 is needed to feed 40 families of four for one week.
evo Foundation trustee Leanne Gregg said: "Having read recently that more than 655,000 people across the UK used a food bank for the first time during 2023/24, my visit to The Well Project highlighted just how important services like this are to local communities.
"The dedication of the team and volunteers was truly inspiring. Support from charitable organisations and community foundations has never been more important in helping local families through challenging times."