School uniforms

The local authority do not provide any assistance towards the cost of school uniforms. Please contact your school directly to see if they are able to provide any help or support for families.

Please see below organisations across the Borough who provide additional support for families around school uniforms, what they provide, and how to access the support. 

Kidsbank - Chester, Ellesmere Port and surrounding areas 4-11 years

Kidsbank offer uniform support to families who have children aged 4-11 years old and clothing up to size 12-13 years, who are experiencing hardship and who live within Chester and the surrounding area. They process uniform referrals twice a year for Summer and Autumn. They also accept emergency uniform referrals outside of these windows. Please note they cannot provide items with school logos. Only requests for non-branded items (without logos) will be accepted.

For further information on how to refer as someone from an organisation supporting a family, or if you wish to self-refer please see the below information:

• Uniform Professional Referral Form
• Uniform Self Referral Form

If you require support with general items please see the General Self Referral page.

Free UniformS for School (FUSS) Ellesmere Port, Neston and surrounding areas Secondary schools

Ellesmere Port FUSS is a local charity which recycles great quality pre-loved secondary school uniforms in Ellesmere Port and Neston. Their aim is to collect good quality out-grown uniforms into the drums in Ellesmere Port C of E Collage, or The Whitby High School, sort and then give them away to families for free.

You can be kept up to date through Facebook and their website below where you can find out where to donate as well as requesting the uniform items you need.

Green Uniform and Baby Bank (GUBB) Winsford Northwich and surrounding areas primary and secondary

The Green Uniform and Baby Bank (GUBB) aims to supply pre-loved uniform items for children aged between 3 and 16 years to families who live within the postcodes area CW6, CW7, CW8, CW9 and CW10. These include primary and secondary ages and include branded and non-branded items. To see the list of primary and secondary schools they currently have in stock, please see their website below.

If you require support with general items you can visit their baby bank shop where they provide pre-loved baby items from new born to 4 years.

You can also be kept up to date through Facebook and WhatsApp and by contacting admin@greenuniformandbabybankltd.org, on Facebook, WhatsApp or 07835851908.

Her-Place Winsford Hub Community Share Hub, Baby Bank and Edna Laundrette (Winsford)

Her-Place Winsford Hub stocks school uniforms, generic and branded items, stationary, and period poverty products. In addition they have fancy dress, prom dresses and suits and seasonal related stock including winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves as well as their Footlocker Scheme which empowers families to keep on playing sport they love.

For more information on the Winsford Hub please visit the link below.  For a request of uniforms or baby items please contact them below where their team will fulfil the request and notify you with collection details.

• Email: hub@her-place.co.uk
• Text: 07496160930
• Call: 01606557666

Grants available if parent/carer works, or has recently worked in the UK Fashion and Textile industry

The grants help low income families working in the UK fashion and textile industry who are struggling with the cost of returning to school. Items such as school uniforms, general clothing, sports kit and study essentials for children (aged 0 to 18 years) can be funded for families experiencing financial hardship.

To apply for the grants, one parent/carer must work, or have recently worked for, a UK fashion or textile company. For more information see School Uniform Grants.

Credit Union Uniform Loan – Opens annually in June

West Cheshire Credit Union provide a uniform load, available for families to help assist with the costs of school uniform. They offer a school uniform loan of up to £250, giving parents another option to turn to when it comes to meeting the costs. School shoes can often be one of the more expensive items of a school uniform, so small loans are available to cover this cost.

The loan scheme aims to complement other options that are available, such as School Uniform Banks, other school uniform providers and the preloved clothing sector – all of whom have a collective part to play in ensuring school uniforms are affordable.

Repayments can be made via your Child Benefit or by Standing order.