Help with buying items for school
The cost of school uniforms can be a struggle for families. Many schools now allow you to buy cheaper, unbranded uniform items, or offer uniform swaps. Please check with your school what they offer.
School uniform distribution points
There are some organisations throughout the county who can help you with new and preloved school uniforms - see the list of distribution points below.
| Organisation | Information | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Schools | Contact your child's school to find out about their local arrangements as some will offer recycled schemes. | Your child's school |
| County Durham Clothing Bank | County Durham Clothing Bank is now open at their new premises from 10.00am to 2.00pm every Tuesday unless stated. Please bring your own bags to carry clothing home, please leave the coat hangers behind. All clothing is free, toiletries will be available for those who need it at the hatch in main room. School uniforms available. Please go to reception desk as you enter and sign in. Also use, sanitizer as you enter the hall and where possible wear a face covering for our safety and yours. One way system is in place, In through the front, out through the back. | County Durham Clothing Bank To check availability telephone or text 07707 031625 |
| Community School Clothing Scheme | Provides families with free preloved school uniform: Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 3.00pm | Community School Clothing Scheme For more information go to Community School Clothing Scheme on Facebook or telephone 07915 736905 |
| Ferryhill Foodbank - Caring and Sharing Uniform Bank | New and preloved uniforms available all year round.
| Ferryhill Foodbank - Caring and Sharing Uniform Bank For more information and to check availability telephone or text 07749 401579 |
| Trinity Methodist Church | Free preloved school uniforms for the following schools:
Open Tuesdays from10.00am to 12.00 noon. | Trinity Methodist Church For more information telephone 01388 813357 |
| Lifeline Community Action Community Hub | We have a school uniform section at the hub for the following schools:
We are open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10.00am to 12.00 noon. | Lifeline Community Action For more information telephone 07936 431262 or email Corrinchamberslca@gmail.com |
| Shildon Town Council | School uniform swap shop. Sizes from 2-3 years to 12 years plus and lots in between. We have red, blue and green sweatshirts and a range of white polo shirts, school trousers, dresses and skirts. Schools include:
Free to all. Open Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 4.30pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.00pm. | Shildon Town Council For more information telephone 01388 772563 or email l.evans@shildon.gov.uk |
| Rotary Club Newton Aycliffe | For families living in Newton Aycliffe the Rotary Club may be able to help. | Rotary Club Telephone Geoff on 07721 459790 |
| St Anne's Church, Bishop Auckland | Big uniform giveaway. New and preloved uniforms available for primary and secondary pupils. Clothing will be available on first come first served basis. Saturday 13 August 2022 from 10.00am to 12.00 noon in St Anne's Church. | St Anne's Church For more information and to check availability telephone 01388 604397 |
| Free School Uniform Bank | Wednesday 17 August 2022 from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. For schools in Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle. | Free School Uniform Bank For more information telephone 01833 631107 |
| Consett area school uniform shop | Facebook page where parents can buy, swap or sell school uniform. | See Consett area school uniform shop on Facebook. |
| Salvation Army, Chester-le-Street | Uniform open day at Salvation Army in Chester-le-Street:
| Salvation Army Low Chare Chester-le-Street DH3 3QF |
| School Uniform Swap Shop | Starting week commencing 1 August 2022. Bring along items that don't fit and take items that do. Thursdays and Fridays from 10.00am to 2.00pm
| School Uniform Swap Shop For more information and to check availability telephone 01207 283016 |
| Uniform Bank | New and preloved uniforms available - uniform bank available all year round. | Uniform Bank For more information and to check availability telephone Darren on 07720 650533 |
| Greggs Charity | Applications are assessed weekly and you can expect a response within two weeks of your application. They help people facing significant changes including buying them equipment for a new baby or uniforms for a child starting school. | To apply go to Greggs Foundation Hardship Fund |
| Fashion & Textile Children's Trust | Redundancy Grants to help families who are struggling to afford the cost of school uniforms and everyday essentials for their children. Parents/carers must have worked or work in fashion or textile to apply (this includes clothes shops, laundry services, clothing manufacturers, supermarket selling clothes, footwear company, haberdashery, bridal shop). | For more information and to apply go to Fashion & Textile Children's Trust or telephone 0300 1239002 |
| Livin Tenants help with school uniform | Are you struggling to buy school uniforms? Livin have grants available and may be able to give vouchers to their tenants towards the cost of them. | If you are a tenant of Livin, complete their Livin - Request for money support form (selecting option J when asked what your query is in relation to) and one of their money support team will get back in touch with you. |
| The Community Hub | Uniform Swap shop Thursday 18 August from 10.30am to 11.30am. We would be very grateful for any donations - school uniform, baby and children's clothing, adult clothing etc. | The Community Hub For more information telephone 01388 835588 |
A Family Loan
If you are in receipt of child benefit and require help with buying items for school you can apply for a NE First Credit Union Family Loans. This could provide you with a loan of up to £500 without having a credit check - this will be conditional upon an affordability check and child benefit being paid directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the Credit Union.
A Family Loan allows you to access a cash loan up front to purchase the required items as well as giving you the option to saving something each month for the future.
More information about help with your money.
