In 2025 we helped 13,000 children in Kirklees – a fifth of all school age children in the area – and more than ever before.
Consistent and continual support is vital for us so we are now asking people to donate just £3 a month to help our future funding.
The demand on Uniform Exchange is continually growing due to the harsh economic climate and it’s estimated we saved Kirklees parents having to spend just over £1m on school uniform last year.
Founder and Operations Trustee Kate France says: “When we started Uniform Exchange back in 2011 we hoped the number of children in poverty and deprivation would fall in the following years but, over the last five years, it’s been the exact opposite.
“If there is a positive it’s the remarkable community effort that keeps the charity going with thousands of people across Kirklees donating unwanted or unused school uniform to us every year. It’s a great example of the kinder side to society in action and helps to provide children with the best start to their school life that we possibly can by making sure they have all the uniform and school kit they need.’’
Kate says children who don’t wear school uniform are vulnerable to bullying, truancy and often lack a sense of self-esteem, identity and belonging. Without that confidence and inclusion, some may become more susceptible to negative influences or seek acceptance in the wrong places. Wearing school uniform helps them to learn better in school, building that critical foundation for everything else they do in life.
Several areas in Kirklees are classed as in the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England with many others falling into the 20% most deprived.
Uniform Exchange has set up a project called Sustainable Uniform Exchange which encourages all 182 schools in Kirklees to have their own school uniform giveaways at least once a year.
This will make the uniform even more accessible for parents and ease the financial strain on Uniform Exchange which costs around £120,000 a year to run. Government guidelines say schools must ensure second-hand uniforms are available for parents.
Kate has looked closely into the cost of school uniform in Kirklees and, including PE kit, this works out at around £157 but add in other essentials such as shoes, trainers, football boots, coats, bags and stationery and the final total is £387 a year.
Councils, including Kirklees, stopped giving school uniform grants in 2010 so the only way parents can get free school uniform in Kirklees is through Uniform Exchange which became a registered charity in March 2018.
Kate is urging people across Kirklees to donate a minimum of just £3 a month to help the charity, but larger sums would be more than welcome.
That can be done by simply clicking here https://www.uniform-exchange.org/donate_money/