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| Sunderland second-hand school uniform scheme 'flat out' | Sunderland second-hand school uniform scheme 'flat out' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Second Chance has been running for two years and says it has seen demand rise | Second Chance has been running for two years and says it has seen demand rise |
| A community shop which runs a free second-hand school uniform scheme says it is "flat out" serving families who cannot afford to buy branded clothing. | A community shop which runs a free second-hand school uniform scheme says it is "flat out" serving families who cannot afford to buy branded clothing. |
| Second Chance CIC in Hendon, Sunderland, collects donations of pre-worn items which are offered to those in need for no charge. | |
| It comes as the Department for Education (DfE) tries to change the law to limit the number of compulsory branded items required by schools to three, plus a branded tie for secondary students, in a bid to cut costs for families. | It comes as the Department for Education (DfE) tries to change the law to limit the number of compulsory branded items required by schools to three, plus a branded tie for secondary students, in a bid to cut costs for families. |
| Wendy English, director of Second Chance, said on average 20 families used the service each day and, "on top of bills and food, people just can't afford clothing". | Wendy English, director of Second Chance, said on average 20 families used the service each day and, "on top of bills and food, people just can't afford clothing". |
| The government believes parents in England will save around £50 per child through its school uniform measures, which it hopes to introduce in September 2026. | The government believes parents in England will save around £50 per child through its school uniform measures, which it hopes to introduce in September 2026. |
| However, school uniform manufacturers claim the plans could end up costing them more. | However, school uniform manufacturers claim the plans could end up costing them more. |
| The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill still has several parliamentary stages to go through before becoming law. | The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill still has several parliamentary stages to go through before becoming law. |
| Donated clothes are left outside on a rail outside the store for customers to pick up for free | Donated clothes are left outside on a rail outside the store for customers to pick up for free |
| Second Chance, which opened in April 2023, restocks its uniform donations daily and customers are able to access items without needing a referral service. | Second Chance, which opened in April 2023, restocks its uniform donations daily and customers are able to access items without needing a referral service. |
| "We can struggle to restock the shop," Mrs English said. | "We can struggle to restock the shop," Mrs English said. |
| "We run out of donations but I think it shows how many people need us." | "We run out of donations but I think it shows how many people need us." |
| She believes the new rules are a "good start" for what she says is a growing problem. | She believes the new rules are a "good start" for what she says is a growing problem. |
| "We are flat out with families who can't afford to buy branded uniforms, so they come here," she said. | "We are flat out with families who can't afford to buy branded uniforms, so they come here," she said. |
| Second Chance aims to move to a larger site this year in order to better deal with the demand. | Second Chance aims to move to a larger site this year in order to better deal with the demand. |
| "Some schools, like St Anthony's, have branded PE kits which contain the pupils initials," Mrs English explained. | "Some schools, like St Anthony's, have branded PE kits which contain the pupils initials," Mrs English explained. |
| "I'm currently looking at ways we can remove them so they can be used again." | "I'm currently looking at ways we can remove them so they can be used again." |
| Marie Lanaghan, headteacher at St Anthony's Girls Catholic Academy, said uniforms can create a sense of "unity and pride" within a school, but she recognised cost challenges. | Marie Lanaghan, headteacher at St Anthony's Girls Catholic Academy, said uniforms can create a sense of "unity and pride" within a school, but she recognised cost challenges. |
| "We appreciate a balance needs to be struck," she said. | "We appreciate a balance needs to be struck," she said. |
| "We welcome the government's new bill, which provides clarity." | "We welcome the government's new bill, which provides clarity." |
| The average cost of a full school uniform and PE kit for a child at secondary school is £442, and £343 for a primary school pupil according to DfE data. | The average cost of a full school uniform and PE kit for a child at secondary school is £442, and £343 for a primary school pupil according to DfE data. |
| Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. | Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. |