Having to use a uniform bank 😔

richteaftw · 06/08/2023 16:01

I think it's wrong school insist on logo stuff, especially thesedays. We are lucky ours doesn't.

Feel for you, OP. Don't feel ashamed or embarrassed.

Could you speak to the governors about the logo insistence?

Darthwazette · 06/08/2023 16:03

This is why logo uniforms need to be got rid of. Completely unnecessary, and in our case crappy quality too so hand me downs aren’t always available

wlana · 06/08/2023 16:04

Don't feel ashamed - take the help because it is intended for those who need it. It's nothing to feel ashamed of, unless you are going to take uniform from the bank and sell it for profit.

Fantina · 06/08/2023 16:07

I have to buy my DC all their uniform from the secondhand sale and they are always rammed so we aren’t the only people in this position. I donate our outgrown stuff back to it too so it’s swings and roundabouts. Lots of people sell theirs on FB selling sites too so you could also try that?

Bearpawk · 06/08/2023 16:08

You're keeping stuff out of landfill which is a great thing to do!

matchamate · 06/08/2023 16:09

Makes sense for the uniform bank to be used tbh - much less wastage

TennesseeTravis · 06/08/2023 16:11

I helped set up one at DC's school. I have no issues using it and neither do other parents from it's success. You shouldn't feel ashamed at all; it's the smart thing to do! Why pay £20 for a logo jumper when you can pay £2.50?

We have also said to the school that any parent who approaches them and is in need, can take what is required for free.

WGACA · 06/08/2023 16:13

Bearpawk · 06/08/2023 16:08

You're keeping stuff out of landfill which is a great thing to do!

This! It’s sustainability. Everyone should seek good condition second hand and only buy new items as a last resort.

calmcoco · 06/08/2023 16:14

If they are primary the uniform is not enforceable so just buy non-logo.

Try not to feel ashamed.

I always bought non-logo because I hate uniforms, they're stupidly expensive.

monpetitlapin · 06/08/2023 16:16

Does your school have a second hand shop? Ours does and we bought a couple of logo bits from it. Will donate back to it when he grows out of it. We aren't short of money, I just disagree with the wasteful parade of buying a load of new things every year. When I do buy new, I buy one size up and expect it to last 2 school years before donating it. He spends one year growing into it and one year growing out of it. My mum did the same.
The system needs less going into it in the first place and more being preserved for others.
I don't know anyone who bought all their stuff new, the second hand shop at our school was very busy.
There's no shame in buying second hand. It's the people buying a full set of new every year for every child then binning it all who should be ashamed.

HappyCatty · 06/08/2023 16:23

Why on earth are you ashamed? My daughter goes to private school and we have a "pre-loved" uniform shop. Pretty much everyone uses it, why wouldn't you? The uniform to buy new is ridiculously expensive. Kids grow out of stuff so fast it's still in pretty perfect condition and it's recycling... Absolutely nothing to be ashamed of in my opinion, who knows whether you are using it because you can't afford, because you resent paying stupid high prices of new stuff or whether you are just into recycling and saving the planet in a small way. Everyone at my school is apparently just seriously into recycling! 😉And that's a-okay with me!

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 06/08/2023 16:24

By the time I got to my third, I just did not buy any stuff with a logo on it. Cardis were £3.50 in sainsbury. And funnily enough, if they got lost, they always found their way back!
One teacher said that could she at least have one for the school photo? Lend her one from lost property was my firm answer.

shoofly · 06/08/2023 16:29

Please use the uniform bank without any concern. Its so much more sustainable. Presumably you didn't donate anything you wouldn't have been happy for your children to wear so the other people donating are also just wanting good quality clothing with wear left in it to stay out of landfill.

Whyohwhyohwhy123 · 06/08/2023 16:33

I buy one logo sweatshirt and the rest are asda. The school manage the second hand uniform and I was offered some of the logo items and I was grateful as it was a massive saving

Combusting · 06/08/2023 17:04

Wobblymama01 · 06/08/2023 15:59

I'm ashamed it's come to this we used to donate to the uniform bank and this year we are going to have to use it. I know I shouldn't be embarrassed but I never thought we would be in this position 😔

school requesting logo stuff and we just can't afford it due to unexpected car repairs running into the thousands (car is essential) plus energy bills almost tripling, plus mortgage increase, there's just not the spare cash

I've got everything else off vinted but it's just the logo stuff. Have scoured the local FB pages and asked friends with older children it nothing for sale 😔

Uurgh.

Not sure what the issue is with this? We’ve al just bought a load of logo uniform and kit from schools preloved sell for £1 an item and likewise donated lots too for younger kids? All money goes to PTA. And by “we” I mean us and several other parents who are very much in secure professional roles and most higher income earners. I don’t think I’ve ever bought new uniform for DS actually - it’s a total waste of money and really bad for the environment to not recycle. My colleague also gives us hand me down kit and we do the same for another colleague!

Original poster

Wobblymama01 · 06/08/2023 17:10

Thanks all but I think there's been a bit of a misunderstanding, I'm not talking about a Preloved school PTA type shop I mean a charity type uniform bank that gives clothes for free, like the clothes version of a food bank.

OP posts:

Shopper727 · 06/08/2023 17:11

I just sent a load of old primary school stuff in as my son is now in secondary I’d rather people re use as there’s nothing wrong with it and if it helps others then that’s great, don’t be ashamed op id be happy to know people who need it use it. Our high school has a massive second hand store most people use it and there is always plenty there. People hand in trousers and shirts etc too. we got my son a blazer, as he has autism and not sure if he’ll wear full uniform so we can hand it back if needed and also my older sons stuff is bagged up to go in too

imactuallyfine · 06/08/2023 17:20

The purpose of a uniform is to prevent pupils being singled out because their clothes are considered not right by other kids. It also gives a sense of unification for the pupils.

Logos are not necessary.

I would ask for an explanation on why they are insisting on logos.

ditalini · 06/08/2023 17:24

No misunderstanding op. I'm sure you didn't think the people who used it should feel ashamed when you donated.

It's far more sustainable and you can pay it forward when your circumstances are better.

Society works better when we give what we can and take what we need.

HappyCatty · 06/08/2023 17:58

Wobblymama01 · 06/08/2023 17:10

Thanks all but I think there's been a bit of a misunderstanding, I'm not talking about a Preloved school PTA type shop I mean a charity type uniform bank that gives clothes for free, like the clothes version of a food bank.

Not sure there's a difference is there? Our pre-loved "shop" is all for free and some of the parents at our school could easily afford to buy new, but choose not to and some, whose children are there on bursaries can't afford, what on earth does it matter which it is...? It's recycling uniform whether it comes from hand-me-downs from siblings / friends children, from a free school "shop" or free from a charity. There is still nothing to be ashamed about! Did you look down on the people that needed to accept the clothes you donated? I'm sure you didn't, why would you be ashamed to accept from others when the tables are turned? And when you've got back on your feet a bit, you'll donate again and the cycle continues. Helping others and accepting that help is what life is all about.

AvengedQuince · 06/08/2023 18:26

monpetitlapin · 06/08/2023 16:16

Does your school have a second hand shop? Ours does and we bought a couple of logo bits from it. Will donate back to it when he grows out of it. We aren't short of money, I just disagree with the wasteful parade of buying a load of new things every year. When I do buy new, I buy one size up and expect it to last 2 school years before donating it. He spends one year growing into it and one year growing out of it. My mum did the same.
The system needs less going into it in the first place and more being preserved for others.
I don't know anyone who bought all their stuff new, the second hand shop at our school was very busy.
There's no shame in buying second hand. It's the people buying a full set of new every year for every child then binning it all who should be ashamed.

Some excellent points here. I just don't understand the new every year mentality, or the 'grew out of it by Christmas' followed by complaints about how much it is costing the parent. If a young child grows out of something that fast then the parent must have bought it with no room to grow in the first place!

BCBird · 06/08/2023 18:30

I'm a teacher and openly tell my tutor group to see if there are suitable items in uniform 'shop' There is absolutely no need to feel bad about using it. The y11 donate things they don't want.

BCBird · 06/08/2023 18:35

I don't think it matters if payment is given or not. I would use it if I had school age children. Quality of our sch jumper is shocking,I would not want to pay for it.

Gunpowder · 06/08/2023 18:35

I’m sorry you are having a tough time with finances. Lots of us are. It’s shit! I actually think there is something wonderful and cyclical about having given to the uniform bank and then benefiting from it. You have ‘pre-paid’ for these clothes through your previous donations. It isn’t shameful, it’s karma being returned to you.

MrsTerryPratchett · 06/08/2023 18:40

we used to donate to the uniform bank and this year we are going to have to use it

I used to do a lot of teaching young people about financial literacy. One of the things I used to say a lot was to reframe this kind of thinking. Another person would take out unaffordable debt to pay for uniform in your circumstances to avoid the embarrassment. Therefore ruining their finances AND buying some predatory wbanker a helicopter.

It's an act of defiance to help each other out. A middle finger up to the people trying to bleed us dry at our most vulnerable.

Use the assistance, and vow that you will donate again when you're able. See it as a brilliant example of paying it forward, and a pat on the back to yourself for donating when able.