A scheme in Derry designed to help parents struggling with the high cost of uniforms is expecting a wave of demand by the end of the summer.
Focus Project, funded by St. Stephen's Green Trust and based in Rath Mor in Creggan offers a number of schemes and lifelines for those who are struggling. The volunteers have noticed that this year already, working families and those who have never needed financial assistance before are finding themselves in need this year.
Amie Gallagher, Focus Project co-ordinator said: "It is the people who have never had to ask for help who we are seeing this year. The mental health impact that this is having on parents who normally are able to provide for their families is devastating as well.
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"Families with two parents working are struggling to make ends meet. We do budgeting with people and the problem is beyond that. You hear the stereotypes of people not budgeting right, that is not the issue here. There is simply no extra money for families."
The Focus Project normally see demand for uniforms rise towards the end of the summer and are already expecting demand to heavily outweigh the resources they can offer.
Amie said: "We are expecting a surge of demand in August. People will be receiving their uniform grants now and then see how far they stretch. We are also helping people with food and fuel vouchers as we are seeing people struggle across the board.
"The need definitely outweighs the resources we have. We already have more people seeking uniforms and we have more foodbank referrals coming our way."
For Amie and the Focus Project, there is a need for practical solutions for families going forward.
She said: "I think the eligibility for free school meals should be available for all families at the minute with the cost of food, and the uniform grant should be extended. Many working families are seeing that their incomes do not stretch far enough.
"In the long term I think there are items that schools could simplify, even not using crested items for P.E uniforms in some secondary schools would make a huge difference in the cost to families. A lot of schools over the last few years have also changed their uniforms so families cannot pass items down anymore."
"The board of governors in the current climate could be looking at ways to help families. Everyone is struggling at the minute but especially in deprived areas the board of governors have a duty to be practical about families and make things a bit easier for them."
The uniform scheme can be accessed in the Family Room of Rath Mor centre in Creggan, every Tuesday and Thursday from 10.00am until 1.00pm. Those in need can also contact the Focus Project Derry Facebook page.
Donations can be made at any time to the designated box outside Eurospar in Rath Mor.
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