Jersey charity and retailer work to reduce school uniform costs

Chris CraddockBBC Jersey communities reporterBBCAutism Jersey mentioned many dad and mom are expressing curiosity within the campaignA Jersey charity and a retailer have been working collectively to scale back college uniform prices.When dad and mom donate used uniforms to Autism Jersey’s boutique store, they’re given a ten% voucher for brand new uniforms at Marks & Spencer (M&S).It comes as many households mentioned they had been scuffling with the price of dwelling within the island and faculty uniforms had been a severe stress on a few of them.Mother and father have to purchase as much as 5 obligatory college uniform objects in public and non-fee-paying colleges, whereas, within the UK, the restrict is three objects, which places better pressures on households within the island.Sonja Meacock says dad and mom like her are dealing with rising monetary pressuresSonja Meacock is the supervisor of Autism Jersey’s boutique store and has two younger kids.She mentioned: “Everyone seems to be struggling in the meanwhile… quite a lot of our prospects are having to decide on between feeding their kids or shopping for college uniform.””Uniform is a precedence for our kids – they want it in order that they really feel snug in school – and it ought to a fundamental. However it prices me about £100 to £200 per baby for these going to secondary college, so it is actually costly.”Jersey’s Training Division was requested to touch upon the considerations of the price of college uniforms however has not responded.Lesley Harrison from Autism Jersey wish to develop the marketing campaign to assist extra familiesLesley Harrison, from Autism Jersey, helped arrange the marketing campaign with M&S.She mentioned: “There’s quite a lot of stress on households attempting to feed, dress and home their kids… We wished to verify we might create some help for them.”We would prefer to encourage different retailers to collaborate as nicely, so we hope this may very well be a daily fixture in our calendar as a result of it’s proving common.”The present provide lasts till 27 September.