To be surprised how many parents can't afford children's footwear?

[moita]

I must have been living under a rock but: I recently started volunteering for a charity that donates coats to children who need one.

I live in a village just outside a deprived city and we have lots of requests for coats from struggling parents.

It was eye-opening. We then started having the same request: for footwear, most specifically wellies. We put out social media messages for used but good condition wellies. Lots of people donated and they were all pretty much snapped up.

I've got to say: I was surprised, naively so? I felt guilty buying my toddler wellies from the supermarket but here were parents happy to take used ones away. And a lot of the people who came to use are single mums who have fallen on hard times.

I don't know. I just feel so sad that our service is so needed.

Why did you feel guilty buying wellies from a supermarket? I don't understand that.

I was surprised at how much kid's shoes cost. Considering how quickly they grow out of them, it's not an inconsiderable expense. I can see how some families would have to plan and put money aside - if they can even do that.

The pastoral manager at the school I work at had to take a girl shoe shopping because the sole of her shoe was held on with an elastic band. It's heartbreaking.

Children's shoes are as expensive as adults, but are outgrown in a matter of weeks.

Maybe they could afford them before a pandemic hit and their livelihoods went out of the window?
Children’s shoes are expensive.

What is the name of the charity please? We have old wellies and coats which I'd like to donate.

I wish there was a scheme near me I have so much to donate. Can you advise a Yorkshire contact?

Children’s shoes have always been expensive. When I was a single parent, despite working full time as a nurse, I struggled to afford decent shoes for my two boys.
When I was at my primary school in the 70s lots of kids wore plimsolls in the freezing winter weather because their parents were too poor to buy shoes.

My kids school needs outdoor shoes, indoor shoes, and PE shoes for wearing in the hall. Those plus wellies all add up to a crazy amount to replace every time they go up a size.

Many peoples financial situations have changed recently, so its not surprising at all, sadly.

Why would you be surprised?! There is huge poverty in the UK and kids shoes are a never ending stream of expense and not one that you can exactly defer till next year
Maybe it is a useful opportunity to think about what else people have to go without

So sad. Its ridiculous how much kids clothes & shoes cost. I try and get stuff in the sales.

School shoes, plimsolls, playing out shoes, sandals, wellies...I find it really adds up. I have no idea how people afford to buy Joules or even Hunter wellies for kids unless they buy them a size too big and make them wear them for years on end!

This is why the independent children’s shoe shops are on the decline. Many people are not using them. People do not prioritise decent children’s shoes. Many people who I know who are comfortably well off choose to buy second hand and resent paying more than £20 for a pair of shoes.

I do find though that independent shoe shops don’t leave enough growing room in them and my ds is out of them within 5 weeks or so I buy independent shoe shop brands but online.

I was so surprised how much children's shoes were (shoe shop fitted shoes that is), we are relatively low income, so our DC have one pair of trainers from the local indie that I know are well fitted and then their grandparents bought them wellies and school shoes, I don't buy loads of shoes because I'd rather them have just good fitted pairs if we can afford it.

It is a shame they are so expensive as well fitted shoes are important for growing feet development. Or it's a shame there isn't some kind of subsidy for families who use food banks etc to access some kind of footwear voucher scheme. Not sure how that would work though.

It is sad, when I was at school some kids wore any shoes to school even though the policy was smart black. Their parents couldn’t afford to keep replacing. Our school used to give free uniform to parents that couldn’t afford them too, school uniform costs a small fortune too

What is the charity? Is it local? I have a cupboard full of wellies and walking boots that are in good condition.

I do find though that independent shoe shops don’t leave enough growing room in them and my ds is out of them within 5 weeks or so I buy independent shoe shop brands but online.

I feel extremely lucky to have such a good independent shoe shop locally, as when I have been in with my DC they will always fit check their current shoes and if they still fit they will be honest and tell me they don't need new shoes yet.

With charity shops closed, it's pay supermarket prices for shoes they'll have grown out of within months, go without or use a service like you're / hope someone sells some on Fb. Furlough won't be helping people's finances. It's good that people are coming forward for them.

I have always found children's coats and shoes to be particularly expensive. I usually pay between £30-£60 each for a decent coat for my dc

Last summer I went to kit out my kids for shoes and it was £200 for two primary kids.
Two pairs Clarks, two pairs trainers, two plimsolls and two pairs wellies plus two pairs outdoor boots for an activity. Wild.

Also keen to know of the charity as I’d happily see our shoes go to a good home.

I voted YABU mainly because I can definitely believe this. It can’t be that much of a surprise that the people who struggle to afford to buy coats for their children also struggle to buy shoes for them? Donating wellies is a great idea btw- my youngest has more or less only worn his wellies for months as we only go out for wet and muddy walks these days when we go out at all.

Yup, I'm struggling to afford shoes for my two. Single mother, not much spare cash.

My child has sensory issues and also wears shoes out in weeks (or grows out of them). I must spend 100s a year.

I can, fortunately. Someone who is just managing in other areas needs assistance.

Minimum wage is not a living wage, Universal Credit doesn’t really leave any wiggle room for, well anything really. The charity shops are closed and eBay takes time effort and is a gamble fit-wise.

Yes its a common sign of poverty along with the lack of an adequate coat. Parents are doing their best but some will really be on theit uppers now after a year of COVID and some harsher economic times to come - I have a good bag of shoes for a girl so please let me know of this charity.