Free school uniform service for Glasgow families - provided by new collaboration of social enterprise, charity and voluntary organisations to provide extra support during COVID19

Glasgow City Parents Group (GCPG) are working in collaboration with Glasgow's Pre Loved Uniforms SCIO and ApparelXchange CIC to provide free school uniform packages to families who make a request via the GCPG email address.

This new initiative brings three key organisations together, enabling them to provide essential support to Glasgow families, whilst encouraging the re-use of clothing and reducing the impact on our environment.

The service relies on donations, so there is an appeal to wash, fold and bag up donations of school uniform, jackets, blazers and footwear. GCPG will arrange a socially distanced drop off/collection and all donated items will be quarantined for 72 hours in line with infection control guidelines.

All families need to do is to contact Leanne McGuire, chair of GCPG via the email gcparentsgroup@gmail.com

Parents, carers, support workers, social work or any family representative can discreetly email GCPG, who will ask for a few details i.e. school, gender, size. - they do not need to know the family's financial situation or any personal details.

GCPG are confident that any ask will be fulfilled.

Since Glasgow schools are closed, parents and families have been unable to access uniform from school run uniform rails and so this service is providing a discrete and supportive alternative access point. 

Leanne McGuire, Chair of GCPG said: "This year many families may find themselves in a position they have never been I before, worrying about how to afford school uniform if their income has been drastically effected by Covid19. I wanted to make it easy and discreet for families to access the support they need and give them one less thing to worry about."

Izzie at ApparelXchange said: "We are really proud to be part of this partnership. It has come at a really important time for families across Glasgow who are facing uncertainty. We are already busy with donations and with referrals, which just illustrates the need for this type of service.

"We are committed to the environmental impacts of clothing and so this service brings many benefits both to the community and our planet."

Donna at Glasgow Pre-loved Uniforms said: "We want all families to save money when it comes to school uniform that's why our service is open to everyone. By passing on preloved uniform for free we are helping to save our environment at the same time. The current circumstances is making finances tighter for families and our collaboration is easing the pressure. We have been busy with requests and donations and this shows our services are needed."

Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Education, Skills & Early Years said: "This is an excellent example of partnership working with the main aim of supporting Glasgow's families in a time with it's greatly appreciated."