Store manager Susan Wallwork, 41, is helping tackle the cost of living crisis and help families in need by offering free school uniform items at her shop.
Peace of Mind, a mental health charity, which is based in Irlams O’th Height has started a new initiative which is offering families free school uniform items all year round.
A box containing the donated items from members of the public is located outside the shop, where parents and carers are able to take any items they need free of cost.
Susan explained how the initiative only started in September but has been really successful so far stating: “I think it’s helped a lot of people”.
As a single mother of two herself Susan knows how often her own children’s uniform gets damaged easily or simply outgrown half way through the school year so she thought of the idea to provide free items all year round to help tackle financial issues. She also mentioned how other local charities and gateways in Salford don’t provide this all the time and tend to only offer free items during the summer period before a new school year starts, so this idea is crucial, especially during the winter months, and “is helping a lot of families who are in similar situations”.
Peace of Mind is here to support families who may be feeling the squeeze this winter. With the ongoing cost of living pressures, many parents struggle to replace uniforms their children have quickly outgrown of, especially around Christmas, when budgets are already stretched by rising bills and the expectation of presents. Susan is helping ensure children can return to school in January with what they need, while also helping ease financial stress for families across the Salford area.
Although the free items has been a success so far, and Susan has received many donations she’s concerned people don’t realise this is a permanent thing, “I don’t think people realise that they can carry on donating throughout the year as well, and not presume it (uniform) gets binned”.
The free uniform is all donated to Peace of Mind by members of the public, so all donations are welcomed by the charity and can be taken to their store on 389 Bolton Road, Salford, M6 7NJ.