School uniform bank opens in Boston

Throughout the school summer holidays, Boston’s Asda store has hosted a school uniform collection point in-store to support a local group that lends a hand to people who need a little help getting ready for going back to school.

The initiative responded to Asda’s own Community tracker research which indicated that some families can struggle with the cost of back-to-school essentials, and uniforms can be a driver of additional financial worry for these families.

Customers were invited to get involved and drop off pre-loved uniforms, helping to clear out their wardrobes while supporting other families in the neighbourhood around the Lister Way store.

The Boston supermarket had identified Boxes Of Hope as a local partner that would benefit from these donations, as the Community Interest Company collects pre-loved and brand-new school uniforms and arranges events to distribute the donations locally.

The school uniform bank’s organisers, Mandy Baxter and Tracy Topliss, said: "We have a school uniform bank in our Community Miracle Shop in Holbeach that is incredibly popular. Our aim is to roll this out to other towns in Lincolnshire so all families have access to good school uniforms at minimal cost.

"Working with Asda, who collect the uniform, Scott House and Centenary Methodist Church, who stock the uniform, we are able to do this in the Boston area.

"We also distribute school uniforms at no cost for those families who are referred to us by a recognised authority or organisation.

"The scheme is completely self-referral and open to the whole community as everyone is feeling the pinch with the cost of living.

"For those who are already struggling, it is a lifeline to access good quality affordable school uniforms, we understand that uniform poverty is a real thing and something we need to address.

“School uniforms are available to buy from the 'Shop for Good' which is located in the Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street in Boston and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10am to noon. All items are 50p each, apart from blazers which are £2 each and limited to one per child”

Stephen Bromby, community champion at Boston’s Asda supermarket said: “Getting ready for each new school term is stressful enough as it is. And while we’re incredibly proud of our own low priced school uniform, having access to the uniform bank which can provide bargain uniforms that fit properly is one less thing to worry about. Easing things in this way can help local people to overcome back-to-school costs. It is real privilege to be able to continue to serve the community in this way.”

The drop-off point will remain in place, behind Asda's checkouts, for the rest of the year, and quality pre-loved school shirts, polo tops, shorts, jumpers, cardigans, trousers, pinafores, dresses and PE kits are items that shoppers are being asked to continue to donate through the special donation collection point at the Lister Way store.

Find out more about how boxes of hope support the community: www.boxesofhope.co.uk