A Lincolnshire based charity has opened a school uniform bank in a Boston church to support families with recycled school uniforms, in partnership with a major retail chain.
Boxes for Hope, established by Mandy Baxter in 2022, has opened a pop up shop at the Centenary Methodist Church on Red Lion Street, Boston, for families to purchase school uniforms at a reduced price.
Working in partnership with Asda, Scott House and the Centenary Methodist Church, items of school clothing are available from 50p each, with blazers being available for £2 (limited to one per child).
Asda has been collecting uniforms and has also donated new clothing, and has agreed to continue to host a drop-off point behind their checkouts, for the rest of the year, and quality pre-loved school shirts, polo tops, shorts, jumpers, cardigans, trousers, pinafores, dresses and PE kits are items that shoppers are being asked to continue to donate through the special donation collection point at the Lister Way store.
A selection of school uniforms are available, including Boston Grammar School, Boston High School, Thomas Cowley Academy, Haven High Academy, Giles Academy, William Lovell C of E Academy, Tower Road Academy, St. Mary’s RC Academy, Staniland Academy, Carlton Road Academy and many more.
Tracy Topliss and Mandy Baxter from Boxes of Hope said: “We have a school uniform bank in our Community Miracle Shop in Holbeach that is incredibly popular. Our aim is to roll this out to other towns in Lincolnshire so all families have access to good school uniforms at minimal cost.
“Working with Asda, who collect the uniform, Scott House and Centenary Methodist Church, who stock the uniform, we are able to do this in the Boston area. We also distribute school uniforms at no cost for those families who are referred to us by a recognised authority or organisation.
“The scheme is completely self-referral and open to the whole community as everyone is feeling the pinch with the cost of living. For those who are already struggling, it is a lifeline to access good quality affordable school uniforms, we understand that uniform poverty is a real thing and something we need to address.
“School uniforms are available to buy from the ‘Shop for Good’ which is located in the Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street in Boston and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10am to noon. All items are 50p each, apart from blazers which are £2 each and limited to one per child”
Stephen Bromby, Community Champion for Asda said: “Getting ready for each new school term is stressful enough as it is. And while we’re incredibly proud of our own low priced school uniform, having access to the uniform bank which can provide bargain uniforms that fit properly is one less thing to worry about. Easing things in this way can help local people to overcome back-to-school costs. It is real privilege to be able to continue to serve the community in this way.”
