A charity in Medway has set up a 'School Uniform Bank' to provide pupils with second-hand uniforms before the term begins next month.

Volunteers at the Gillingham Street Angels started the initiative this year and say the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

KMTV have been finding out how successful the campaign has been so far

According to research by the Schoolwear Association last year, a uniform costs on average £101.19 per child in secondary school.

However, the school uniform bill was given Royal Assent in April. This means that all schools across England must ensure that uniforms are affordable, and branded items are kept at a minimum.

Gina Carpenter, a volunteer at the Gillingham Street Angels said: "Children grow so quickly - they could only wear the uniform for the term and they've grown out of it.

"It's the same with shoes as well. They need strong suitable shoes for school and playtime but children just grow so quickly which makes it very hard for the parents.

"We're taking any uniform, branded or not, and the orders are already flooding in on our dedicated email address."

Jordan Shillibeer said she would probably have had to rely on financial help from family to help kit out two of her children who will be attending schools in Gillingham.

The 28-year-old mum who lives on Richmond Road in the town, said: "People shouldn't feel shy. "It's there on offer and people should take advantage of it. We could all find ourselves in this position of not being able to afford uniform.

"It can be a struggle to put food on the plates and this is just another extra thing to find the money for, which is not there."

She said that she would have had to find around £70 to buy the correct uniform for seven-year-old daughter Teegan.

Her son Oscar, aged four, is starting Burnt Oak Primary School and a jumper with the school's logo would have cost her about £15.

Working alongside Gina is Kylie Davies and as a mum herself she believes that the service is desperately needed in the local community.

She said: "A lot of families can't afford food for their children, let alone uniform as well.

"As a mum myself I can say that it is pretty expensive - especially the branded stuff - and there needed to be a better way to allow all children to have an equal opportunity and access to uniform.

"We're packing some orders today ready to be collected and delivered and we already know that more requests are going to come in."

The Gillingham Street Angels have also been providing meals to disadvantaged families in the area.

Ms Carpenter added: "We are supplying the school meals for children during the holidays.

"We deliver sandwiches as well as cooked meals for them and have been ever since the school term ended.

"This is something that is ongoing and we hope the uniform bank will have the same impact.

"It won't just finish when school starts in September. Children grow throughout the year so we want to have a constant supply ready for whenever it is needed."

According to the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in Medway the number of people claiming benefits dropped by 830 in the last year - from 11,425 (June 2020) to 10,595 (August 2021).

However, Medway still has the highest percentage of claims in the county with 6.1% of 16-64 year olds in the area still relying on government support.

The Gillingham Street Angels are now taking donations of new or good quality second-hand uniform.

To inquire about donating or to request an order form, email recycling@thestreet-angels.org

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