Free school uniforms to help low income families

Liz Beddows and Lisa Bentley, from Cannock Library which has been supporting the initiative

Families on low incomes are being invited to pick up school uniform items free of charge at a series of special markets.

The Pre-Loved Uniform Markets (PLUM) in Cannock are being run by Staffordshire County Council's library service and The Salvation Army.

Items available include school trousers, skirts, shirts, ties and branded school sweatshirts.

The scheme launched in 2020, and since then has handed out more than 15,000 items to save families an estimated cost of about £90,000.

Items on offer include those for schools including Kingsmead, Gorsemoor, Cheslyn Hay, SUA, Five Ways, St Lukes, Longford, St Joseph’s, Cannock Chase High, Pye Green, St Peter’s and Littleton Green - but others are represented too.

Victoria Wilson, cabinet member for communities and culture at Staffordshire County Council, said: “School uniforms can be expensive and when you’ve got more than one child the costs can quickly add up.

“Providing these items free of charge to families who need that little extra bit of help means they can put their money towards other essential household bills.”

The markets started on Monday 19 August, and will continue this week at:

• Tuesday 20 August 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm

• Wednesday 21 August 10am-12pm & 5pm-7pm

• Thursday 22 August 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm

• Friday 23 August 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm

They will take place at The Salvation Army on Anglesey Street in Hednesford.

Further details on the project are available on Staffordshire Libraries Facebook page.