Please give a child dignity, confidence and a sense of belonging when they go to school. Times are hard and families need your help more than ever.
A set of uniform can be the difference between a child attending and engaging in school or staying away.
There are two ways you can get involved in our Sponsor A Child appeal this summer:
Email us at info.esub@gmail.com and we will send you details of a child’s age, gender and what’s needed for a “back to school” pack. You then shop for the items and drop them in to one of our collection baskets.
Donate money and we will do the shopping for you (please ask us for our bank details if you would prefer to donate directly or if you are donating on behalf of a group or company).
You can of course just buy an item or two of new school clothing, and we will add it into a pack. Our Amazon wishlist also remains open if you would like to have something sent directly to us.
Edinburgh School Uniform Bank has today been named as a ‘Point of Light’.
Established by The Prime Minister’s office, the daily Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community.
Julia Grindley leads the ‘Edinburgh School Uniform Bank’, which distributes school uniforms and other essential items to families in the city who are facing financial hardship.
Edinburgh School Uniform Bank is entirely voluntary run and was set up in response to reports that school children were asking Santa for basic school uniform items and underwear for Christmas.
Julia and other volunteers collect donations of money and clothes and put together “Back to School” packs for children from families in need.
Julia has played a key role in keeping the service open for families while working with donors, volunteers and partners to make sure that every child and young person in Edinburgh has a school uniform.
Julia said:“We are honoured to receive this recognition of the work of Edinburgh School Uniform Bank.
“Our team works so hard to give children the best chances in life and to make sure that everyone can go to school feeling comfortable, confident, and fitting in with their peers. We bring together the whole community to support families who are facing tough challenges, and our thanks go to everyone who contributes to this effort.”
Edinburgh School Uniform Bank has successfully secured £15,000 thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme.
Edinburgh School Uniform Bank, which distributes school uniform to families in Edinburgh who are facing financial hardship, was awarded the funding after being shortlisted by the convenience retailer as one of three good causes and charities in the East of Scotland to receive financial support from an £25,000 pot.
Other recipients of funding in the East include Canine Concern Scotland Trust, which provides therapy dogs for patients in hospital after a stroke or suffering traumatic brain injuries, and Scottish Huntington’s Association (see below).
Julia Grindley, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Edinburgh School Uniform Bank (above) said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a £15,000 Scotmid Community Connect Award.
“This award will allow us to provide school uniform and warm jackets to over 600 local children. This funding will make a huge difference to their confidence and their sense of belonging, as well as keeping them cosy through the winter.”
Since Scotmid’s Community Connect launched in 2017, more than £460,000 has been awarded to 42 good cause groups, enabling key projects to come to life in local areas.
Shirley MacGillivray, Head of Communities and Membership at Scotmid, said: “Community Connect is one of the main ways we can support those communities that we serve and we are delighted to provide Edinburgh School Uniform Bank with this funding, which will help them to continue providing vital services.
“Times remain challenging for many people; being able to help improve the lives of others across the country is one of the very reasons we exist.”
Scottish Huntington’s Association has successfully secured £5,000 thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme.
The Association, which provides 1-1 advice, peer group work sessions, youth mental health services for children with a parent living with Huntington’s Disease and have a 50% chance themselves of inheriting the condition, was awarded the funding after being shortlisted by the convenience retailer as one of three causes and charities in the East of Scotland to receive financial support from an £25,000 pot.
Gemma Powell, Senior Fundraiser from Scottish Huntington’s Association said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a £5,000 Scotmid Community Connect Award towards Scottish Huntington’s Association Youth Service.
“This funding will help us bring back our annual youth camp which is attended by young people growing up in families impacted by Huntington’s disease across Scotland.
“This camp offers young people the chance to make and catch up with friends, share experiences, learn more about Huntington’s disease and, for many, enjoy a break from caring responsibilities. We’re so grateful to Scotmid and their members.”
Mel Hughes, CEO of Canine Concern Scotland Trust said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a £5,000 Scotmid Community Connect Award.
“This award will allow us to develop our Therapet® Visiting Service in the NHS Lothian area, starting with the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
“This funding will make a huge difference to patients recovering from a stroke or neurological condition, who will benefit from a Therapet® visit which will aid their physical, mental and emotional recovery.”
Since Scotmid’s Community Connect launched in 2017, more than £460,000 has been awarded to 42 good cause groups, enabling key projects to come to life in local areas.
