A WINSFORD mum helping other parents counter the spiralling costs of buying school uniform, says demand is greater than ever.

Emma Ball set up the Uniform Exchange Winsford two years ago as a way of helping families that struggle financially to kit their children out for school.

The 43-year-old set up the scheme after seeing how much ‘spare’ uniform she had in the family home and the amount of unclaimed clothing left at her children’s schools at the end of the year.

She said: "We collect donations of new or good quality pre-loved school uniform and give it out for free within our local community to whoever is in need.

"Demand has been greater than ever since the pandemic with more and more families struggling to meet the costs.

"There has been one positive to come from the last year, in that lots of the uniforms donated to us are pretty much like brand new, due to the fact kids spent so much time out of school.

"No referral is required, we are accessible by anybody, from individuals requesting help for themselves to Community Groups, Churches, Health Professionals or Schools requesting anonymously on their behalf.

"There is never any judgment of personal circumstances and never a need to justify the requests. Everybody needs a little help from time to time.

"Giving pre-loved uniform a new lease of life not only saves money but is also environmentally friendly, saving thousands of items from ending up in landfill."

Northwich Guardian: Thousands of uniforms have been donated to the exchange, from schools in Winsford and Northwich

Thousands of uniforms have been donated to the exchange, from schools in Winsford and Northwich

Research amongst parents across the country reveals that 1.4 million wearable school uniforms are thrown away each year and more than 80 per cent of parents buy their children brand new school uniforms, while nearly half don't want their child to be wearing second-hand clothing.

The Uniform Exchange, which is a community initiative rather than a registered charity, accepts uniforms for all catchment schools in the area, including schools in both Winsford and Northwich.​

"We accept school specific logo items and non specific generic uniform," Emma added.

"All items need to be in good, clean reuseable condition.

"I don't have uniforms that I wouldn't be prepared to use for my own children.

"We accept requests for help with school uniform from families and individuals directly, without a referral from another service."

Northwich Guardian: Thousands of uniforms have been donated to the exchange, from schools in Winsford and Northwich

Demand for the free uniforms is getting greater every year

The Uniform Exchange has proven to be so much in demand, they had to move to a larger premises last year - in the old job centre on the High Street above Winsford Community Grocery.

On the weekend of August 21 and 22, Emma is holding an event where anybody can turn up between 12-3pm and help themselves to any school uniform they need.

For more information on the exchange and the funding page visit uniformexchangewinsford.co.uk or contact Emma through her Uniform Exchange Winsford page on Facebook.