Families across Cannock Chase are being invited to take advantage of a free school uniform market running this week.
The Preloved Uniform Market offers free school uniform items for children who live in or attend school in the Cannock Chase area, helping families prepare for the new school year while easing the cost of back-to-school shopping.
Delivered by The Salvation Army Church and Staffordshire Libraries with support from Tesco and Morrisons, the market at The Salvation Army, 7 Anglesey Street, Hednesford is available until Friday 21 August.
Hayley Coles, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, visited the market on Tuesday to meet volunteers and see first-hand the support being offered to local families.
Hayley said:
"It was wonderful to visit the market, meet the volunteers and see the difference it is making for local families. The project has already helped thousands of children across Cannock Chase and continues to provide vital support as families prepare for the new school year.
"There is still plenty of uniform available, so I would encourage anyone who may benefit from the scheme to come along before the market closes on Friday. It's a fantastic community effort that is helping families save money while ensuring children have everything they need for a positive start to the new term."
Organisers currently have large quantities of items for Kingsmead, Gorsemoor, Cheslyn Hay, Five Ways and Staffordshire University Academy. Items are also available for St Luke's, Longford, St Joseph's, Cannock Chase High School, Pye Green, St Peter's and Littleton Green, alongside uniforms for many other local schools.
David Cox from The Salvation Army Church said:
"The Pre-Loved Uniform Market project is in its seventh year and so far we have collectively helped families with school uniform for over 2,000 children in the Cannock Chase area.
“It is a great example of the Salvation Army working in close partnership with the local libraries and businesses with the support of some of our amazing volunteers.”
Since the project began in 2019, more than 2,400 children have received uniform items through the scheme, saving local families an estimated £120,000.
The market will be open from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday 19 August, 10am to 3pm on Thursday 20 August and from 10am to 12pm on Friday 21 August.
For more information, email hednesford@salvationarmy.org.uk or cannock.library@staffordshire.gov.uk.
