In 2015 the annual local authority grant for school uniforms was only £50 and some families, although struggling, did not meet the criteria. We launched "Back to School Bank Clydesdale" which aimed to provide a brand new school uniform to children or young people who do not have appropriate or sufficient school clothing or footwear because their family is on low income or struggling in some way. Rationale for the Project More than 1 in 5 children and young people across Scotland are officially recognised as living in poverty. The Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland (CPAG) has undertaken research which showed that insufficient household income can mean many children and young people do not have the resources needed for school and this can lead to them missing out on opportunities, feeling excluded and unhappy. One of the keys to lifelong health and achievement has been shown to be the ability to make the most of the social and learning opportunities which school offers and to feel supported to be confident and respected. The cost of the school day and a family's ability to meet these costs therefore has far-reaching effects on a child. **Although the uptake of this service has been extremely low over the last 4 years, our Back to School Uniform Initiative remains available to any child in Biggar, and surrounding villages (or by special request further afield in South Lanarkshire) via a referral system** |
Referral System* We accept referrals from any appropriate agency working with disadvantaged /struggling families in our locale, for example :- · Social Services · Healthy Valleys Organisation · NHS services · Citizen's Advice Bureau. · Head Teachers All we require is the school attended, age and gender of the child and a list of which clothes/footwear/stationary supplies are required. The goods are delivered to the organisation issuing the referral assuring complete anonymity Access the Back to School Bank Referral Form by clicking on the link below:
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