00:00As the cost of living continues to increase and the average price of a school uniform and PE kit stands
00:06at about £400 in Medway, the new school season is a challenge for many families.
00:12But a community shop in Chatham has been working to change that and has been giving away free uniforms, something
00:18they plan to do all year round.
00:20So when it comes to a free school uniform it is about supporting the community, so it isn't just free,
00:26we operate a swap shop as well.
00:28So as people have got children that are growing up, they grow out of the uniform, we've got all sizes
00:33for all shapes and all schools, so basically they can come down, they can bring the school uniform that they
00:38don't need anymore and they can swap it over for a larger size.
00:41Obviously from the free school uniform side the idea is to make sure that everyone's got everything accessible to themselves
00:47and that's really hard at the moment.
00:49And part of what we do through Thrift and Thrive and Revival with the uniform is supporting people, supporting the
00:55community that are struggling.
00:56It's hard now, it's hard for people to be able to get what they need.
01:00So they're giving away free school uniforms but they're also helping prevent the build-up of landfill and getting local
01:06prisons to wash and repair the clothes so it gives them jobs as well.
01:10We've gone through so many school uniforms and a lot of that's been through donation and people donating to us
01:15to be able to come through.
01:16So although it's new, we've found in the last half term we've probably gone through around about five or six
01:23hundred uniforms for people going back to school and it's been welcomed with open arms which has been great.
01:29Despite school having started already, the shop was still very popular and is clearly already an asset to the community.
01:35Looking at the high response and the amount of uniforms we've gone through, I'd say there isn't a lot of
01:39support or isn't enough support.
01:41And if there is, there's not enough awareness about it. So what we're trying to do is obviously create an
01:46awareness with ourselves.
01:47So what other care is available for families in Medway?
01:51Well, I think it's fantastic we see organisations like Thrift and Thrive and there are others across Medway often linked
01:57directly to individual schools, sometimes run by things like PTAs.
02:01But also certainly church and other faith groups also do this and other charities.
02:06And of course, we recognise that, you know, for this time of year, there can be financial pressures far beyond
02:11perhaps just the school uniform, although that can be important.
02:14So any Medway residents, if you're in financial challenge or you know a family who is, I'd encourage you to
02:20look at the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
02:21All that information can be found on the Medway Council website.
02:24With the cost of school essentials continuing to rise, this community shop is showing that help doesn't have to come
02:31with a price tag.
02:33Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV, Chatham.
