Parents 'struggling more than ever' and forced to choose between food and uniform, charities say

Parents say they have had to resort to shopping online for affordable school uniform items. Credit: ITV Channel

Some parents are having to choose between feeding their children and buying school clothes, according to Channel Island charities.

The Shiloh Church in Guernsey's second-hand uniform bank says it has been overwhelmed with families seeking affordable items for their children.

Chrissy Salmon, team leader at church, explains: "When there's a change in season and your child changes so much over the course of the year, it's really expensive for families.

"People and families are struggling more than ever with the cost of living."

For many working parents balancing full-time jobs while looking after children in the summer holidays, the start of the new school year may come as a relief - but it also comes at a cost.

Chrissy says that Shiloh Church's second-hand uniform bank has never been so busy. Credit: ITV Channel

It is a similar issue in Jersey, where the average school uniform will set parents back £114 annually.

In 2023, the island's government introduced a policy to limit the number of bespoke school uniform items to five per student.

However, schools are not required to fully comply with these rules until September 2026 and they do not apply to private and fee-paying schools.

Meanwhile, in the UK, the British Government plans to limit the number of compulsory branded items to three, excluding ties.

In a bid to ease the financial hardship facing some low-income families across the Channel Islands, charities and businesses are running initiatives to help parents offset the costs.

Autism Jersey partners with Marks and Spencer to offer a 10% voucher off new uniforms when parents donate old ones to the charity's shop.

There are other means of support that families can access, such as speaking with the Education Welfare Officer at their child's school.

Yet for some, this is not enough to ease the financial burden that the new school year brings. 

One parent tells ITV News they have had to resort to sourcing more affordable uniform options online, which has led to them buying items that are either the wrong colour or size.

The problem is said to have been exacerbated by the closure of school uniform vendors, including the JSSK Jersey Schools and Sports Kit store at Les Quennevais.

The store closed last year, citing financial difficulties in meeting the new policy limits announced by the Government.

One Jersey charity says that some major retailers refuse to accept vouchers they provide. Credit: ITV Channel

Variety, the Children's Charity of Jersey, provides vouchers to families struggling to fund school uniform items, but says that some major retailers do not accept the vouchers locally.

Sandra Auckland from the charity adds: "It's causing a lot of problems as we can only go to the more expensive stores.

"It's important that when children start school they all look the same, but it's just becoming so expensive for families to buy all the uniform items their child needs."

The States of Guernsey offers grants for parents and Jersey's Education Minister, Deputy Rob Ward, says: "Many schools have already taken positive steps to simplify their uniform requirements, reduce the number of branded items and provide affordable options that allow parents to purchase clothing from a variety of local retailers.

He does, however, understand it can be a challenging time for families to get what they need for the new term and adds: "Families who have concerns or need additional help are encouraged to speak directly with their school, where staff are ready to provide support in a confidential and respectful manner."

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