Faith in Families Delivers Around 35,000 School Uniform
Faith in Families has distributed around 35,000 individual school uniform items to 26 primary and secondary schools across Swansea and Bridgend, helping to ease the financial pressure families face when preparing children for school.
The major distribution was delivered through Faith in Families’ Cwtch Mawr Multibank Cymru, with approximately 2,509 backpack-led uniform allocations reaching 20 schools in Swansea and six in Bridgend.
The programme was made possible through Welsh Government essential-items funding, with good-quality school uniform sourced through Welsh schoolwear supplier Bergoni.
A practical response to back-to-school costs
The beginning of a new school year should be exciting, but for many families it can bring a long list of unavoidable costs.
School uniform, shoes, stationery, bags and other essentials quickly add up, particularly for families with more than one child. When household budgets are already being stretched by food, energy and other everyday bills, finding money for everything a child needs can feel overwhelming.
By delivering uniform directly to schools, Faith in Families has helped create a simple and dignified way for families to access support through people they already know and trust.
Schools understand their pupils and local communities, placing them in the best position to make sure the uniform reaches families who need some extra help.
From an idea to a major distribution
The initiative began when Phil Evans, Referrals Coordinator at Cwtch Mawr Multibank Cymru, was asked to explore how the Multibank could provide more practical support ahead of the new school year.
Phil’s work identified school uniform as a clear area of need and provided the starting point for the programme.
The proposal was then developed with guidance from Faith in Families’ Senior Management Team, particularly around the schools and geographical areas that should be prioritised.
Jon Waite, Facility and Development Manager at Cwtch Mawr Multibank Cymru, led the due diligence, supplier engagement and procurement process. This included developing the uniform pack model, reviewing prices and supplier terms, checking sizing and quality, and ensuring the programme could achieve the greatest possible impact within the available funding and timescales.
Schools were invited to opt in and share their requirements. Uniform was then allocated according to school size, with individual preferences considered wherever possible.
Around 35,000 items already distributed
The full procurement included 2,903 school uniform packs, comprising 21,386 supplier units and components.
Once the contents of multipacks, including shirts, underwear, socks and tights, are counted individually, the full procurement equates to approximately 41,000 garments and items.
Around 35,000 individual items have already been distributed, with an indicative equivalent UK retail value of approximately £205,000.
“For many families, the start of a new school year brings excitement, but it also brings another long list of costs that simply cannot be avoided. School uniform should never become another pressure that leaves parents having to choose what they can and cannot afford.
“This programme shows what can happen when we identify a real need, work together and turn essential-items funding into practical support that reaches people where they are.
“Phil’s initial project work gave us the seed of the idea, and from there an enormous amount of work went into creating something substantial, good quality and genuinely useful to families.
“Getting around 35,000 uniform items into 26 schools means practical support is now available to families through people they already know and trust, protecting dignity and removing some of the pressure of getting children ready to learn.”
A huge effort behind the scenes
Preparing thousands of school uniform items for distribution was an enormous logistical operation.
Faith in Families’ staff and volunteers spent almost a full week sorting, checking, allocating and boxing the stock for individual schools. Boxes were constantly being moved, sorted and revisited as the team kept track of exactly what needed to go where.
This work took place while the Cwtch Mawr team continued managing referrals and responding to emergency requests.
A special mention also goes to Ben, who stepped up during Jon’s absence, showed real initiative and helped keep the operation moving alongside the wider team.
Their hard work meant thousands of items could be prepared and delivered to schools across two local authority areas.
Partnerships made it possible
Faith in Families would like to thank the Welsh Government for the essential-items funding that supported the programme.
Thanks also go to Darren and the team at Bergoni who helped source the uniform, liaised with suppliers and supported the collection and loading of the stock.
In Bridgend, Gail Devine at BAVO played an important role in quickly identifying school contacts, helping the team make plans and arrange deliveries.
We would also like to thank every participating school for helping to coordinate deliveries and ensuring the uniform can reach families sensitively and effectively.
Schools receiving uniform:
The 20 Swansea schools supported were:
Cadle Primary School, Trallwn Primary School, Tre Uchaf Primary School, Gowerton School, Clydach Primary School, Bishopston Comprehensive School, Brynmill Primary School, Clase Primary School, St Joseph’s Cathedral Primary School, Morriston Primary School, Sea View Community Primary School, Portmead Primary School, Birchgrove Primary School, St Illtyd’s Catholic Primary School, Christchurch Primary School, Talycopa Primary School, Llanrhidian Primary School, Bishop Vaughan School, St Thomas Community Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Y Cwm.
The 6 Bridgend schools supported were:
Ffaldau Primary School, Blaengarw Primary School, Brynteg Comprehensive School, Betws Primary School, St Mary’s CP School and Cwmfelin Primary School.
Having the right uniform is about far more than clothing.
It can help a child feel confident, included and part of their school community. It can remove the worry of standing out and allow them to concentrate on learning, friendships and enjoying school.
For parents and carers, it means one less essential cost to find and one less worry to carry.
Cwtch Mawr Multibank Cymru is Faith in Families’ practical response to poverty and crisis, connecting essential goods with trusted community partners so people can access the things they need with dignity.
This is what Hugs Not Handouts looks like in action; people working together to provide practical support, protect dignity and give children the best possible start.
To learn more about Cwtch Mawr Multibank Cymru, become a community partner or support the work of Faith in Families, please explore our website or get in touch with our team.
