Council continues help with school uniform costs for hard-pressed families

Families of children in Wandsworth who receive free school meals are once again receiving help to buy new school uniforms.
  
So far this summer, the council has issued just under 1,000 uniform vouchers to support local families on lower incomes who are struggling to make ends meet because of the Cost-of-Living Crisis. 

Vouchers worth £40 have been provided for children entering reception, and vouchers worth £160 for children starting secondary school. 
 
The scheme was first launched last year and is continuing for a second year while the Cost-of-Living Crisis continues to bite. Eligible parents were contacted last month and told how to access their vouchers. To qualify for the support, children must be in receipt of free school meals and be moving into Reception or Year 7 this coming September.
 
It is just one of many ways the council is supporting hard-pressed Wandsworth families through the current economic downturn.  Other measures include food vouchers throughout the school holidays so children don’t go hungry whilst not at school.
 
Kate Stock, Cabinet Member for Children, said: “People across Wandsworth are facing real hardship with the Cost-of-Living Crisis showing no sign of letting up.
 
“Families shouldn’t have to face the dreadful choices of paying for fuel or food or buying a school uniform. We know how much this helped local families last year which made us determined to offer the support again this summer.
 
“The vouchers are easy to access and simple to use so we can look forward to all Wandsworth children turning up to school in September looking smart, full of confidence and ready for the year ahead.”
 
If you are eligible for the council’s Uniform Support Scheme, you should have already been contacted. If you have not, but think you should have been please email voucherandholidaysupport@wandsworth.gov.uk. 
 
For more information about the scheme and other local services for children and young people, visit the Family Information Service website.