Libraries across the borough are teaming up with a local charity to help families access thousands of free pre-loved school uniforms and shoes.
As families continue to manage the high costs of school uniform, households cannot always afford the necessary items needed for their child.
This has led to growing demand for affordable alternatives, including a reliance on local charities like Uniform For All, which Rochdale Borough Council is working with to support those who need extra help.
Every day high-quality pre-loved items, including polo shirts, skirts, trousers, branded school blazers, coats and pumps, are given to families through the charity.
However, not every family has the resources to travel long distances to collect their orders.
That is why Rochdale’s library service is helping to collect these items so families can pick them up closer to where they live at their nearest library and save on additional travel costs.
When residents come in to collect their orders, library staff are also on hand to provide them with additional cost of living information and related support, if they need it, alongside free wifi and computer access and other benefits linked to a free library membership.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation, said:
“We are proud to be supporting this valuable charity in distributing much-needed uniforms to our local families.
“Sadly, we know demand is growing for these items so by utilising our libraries, we can help families access what they need within their communities."
Operating since 2020, Uniform For All currently provides more than 20,000 items to more than 3,000 families each year.
It is estimated this collectively saves families across the borough more than £225,000 a year, with the average cost of a full primary school uniform priced at around £343 and a secondary school equivalent averaging up to £442.
The charity is also doing its bit for the environment as a result, with its work helping to avoid more than 3.3 tonnes of textile waste.
Julie Waller, founder of Uniform For All, added:
“Our partnership with Rochdale’s libraries is absolutely fundamental to the success of Uniform For All.
“They allow us to reach families in their own area to provide a free, accessible and discreet way to collect the uniform they need, while also connecting them with other local support if required. They also get to see the many great things going on in their local library.”
Uniform For All covers up to 80 primary and secondary schools across the borough and they accept donations for children from as young as 3 up to the age of 17.
Julie later said:
“Without the incredible support of the council and Rochdale Libraries, we simply would not be the charity we are today.
“We get visits from many other councils and groups wanting to do something similar, but they don’t have the cooperative support that makes Rochdale so special.
“Demand is growing every day, but our dedicated volunteers continue to work tirelessly to meet it and together, we are reducing household costs, keeping good-quality clothing out of waste and helping families when they need us most.”