School Uniform
We want every child to feel comfortable and happy at school, and wear their uniform with pride and self-confidence.
The financial pressure of providing school uniform places a huge burden and stress on families and can often lead to ill fitting, worn, unclean or incorrect uniform. Bullying, isolation, or even exclusion can result from wearing the wrong uniform, negatively impacting children’s mental health.
“My oldest they sent her home and said she wasn’t allowed to come back until she had the correct shoes. So then I had to write a letter to say that we’ll be able to get some in a week or so, I didn’t have any money.”
School uniform is one of the biggest costs associated with attending school, with the majority of the cost falling at the same time. The Child Poverty Action Group estimates that average annual costs can be around £352 for a primary school child and £481 for a secondary school child (including uniform, PE kit, shoes and bags). End Child Poverty has released data which estimates 20% of children in the borough of Bromley are living in poverty (2021/22): that’s 6 children in a classroom of 30 whose families are unlikely to be able to afford all the uniform items needed.
What we do
At Bromley Brighter Beginnings we recognise that having correct, smart, and well-fitting school uniform plays an important role in children’s wellbeing. We aim to ensure children are properly kitted out for school and give families the sense of pride and dignity they deserve.
We have been providing families across the borough with both preloved and new school uniform for the last ten years. In 2022/23 we had 132 referrals for school uniform requests, helping 255 children. The growing cost of living in recent years means families have had to prioritise essentials such as housing, food or utilities, meaning affording items such as school uniform has become increasingly difficult.
How you can help
Clothing Donations
We would love your donations of both preloved and new generic uniform for primary school children ages from 3 to 13 years.
We cannot accept any school logo branded or secondary uniform due to the sheer amount of school logos across the borough.
All preloved donations must be in excellent, like-new condition. We want these children to feel proud as they start a new school year. Our rule of thumb: If you would give it as a gift to your best friend’s child then it’s in good enough condition for us!
Please only donate items on the School Uniform Wishlist to ensure we have stock of the items we need most.
School Uniform Wishlist
We will gratefully receive donations of the following items:
School Uniform Clothing
Non-logo primary uniform ages 3-13
NEW ONLY
- White long sleeve shirts (boys and girls)
- White short sleeve shirts (boys and girls)
- White short sleeve blouses (girls)
- White polo tops (unisex only)
- White plain t-shirt
NEW OR PRELOVED
- Grey skirts
- Grey pinafore dresses
- Plain t-shirts (red, green, royal blue, yellow)
- V neck jumpers (red, green, blue, navy)
- Sweater jumper (red, green, blue, navy, black)
- Cardigan (red, green, blue, navy)
- PE shorts (black or navy)
- Jogging bottoms (black or navy)
School Uniform Equipment
NEW ONLY
- Plain black rucksack (no logos)
- Plain black tote bag (no logos)
- PE black drawstring bag
- Water bottle (unisex colours)
- Pack lunch bag (unisex colours)
- Pencil case (unisex colours)
- Pencils
- Rubbers
- Sharpeners
- Maths set
- Highlighter pens
JustGiving Donations
If you’d like to make a monetary donation for School Uniform you can do so via JustGiving – School Uniform. This enables us to purchase school logo branded and secondary school uniform which is bought new.
Want to become a regular supporter? You can set up your monthly donation here.
Donation Locations
For details of drop-off locations throughout the borough, please use the contacts below (either using Facebook message or email):
| Area | Postcode | Contact | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bromley | Simone Reddington | BR1 | simone@bromleybrighterbeginnings.org.uk |
| Beckenham | Vicky Brampton | BR3 | vicky@bromleybrighterbeginnings.org.uk |
| Orpington | Amy Day | BR6 | amy@bromleybrighterbeginnings.org.uk |
| Petts Wood | Kathryn Clarke | BR5 | kathrynclarke@bromleybrighterbeginnings.org.uk |
Donation Guidelines
- Contact your closest volunteer for drop-off location (see table of contacts).
- Please always contact volunteer before dropping off donations.
- Donations must be dropped between 9am – 6pm.
- Please only drop off items which are included on the School Uniform Wishlist.
- All donations must be clean and have no stains/marks, pulls, bobbles or holes.
- Please be aware that there may be times when volunteers are unavailable.
- If you do not get a reply from the volunteer contact amy@bromleybrighterbeginnings.org.uk for an alternative drop-off location.
Deliver Direct
Alternatively you can order new items directly to BBB using this address:
Bromley Brighter Beginnings, Safe Store, Mentmore House, Cray Avenue, Orpington, BR5 3QT
Please note this is a shared storage facility so please include ‘Bromley Brighter Beginnings’ so we will receive these items.
For large deliveries please also contact amy@bromleybrighterbeginnings.org.uk so we confirm delivery.
We are so grateful for any support you can offer. It will allow us to help as many young people as we can to access appropriate school uniform and make them feel great about going back to school.
Other ways you can help
Fundraising
- Nominate BBB as your charity of the year at your child’s school.
- Run school fundraising events such as non school uniform day or design your own uniform competition.
- Run your own fundraising event such as a coffee morning or bake sale.
- Choose BBB as your selected charity on your next run or bike race.
- Support BBB as a business by naming us your charity of the year or publicising us to your employees.
Want more fundraising inspiration? We have over 50 ideas for you, just click here.
For fundraising support email jenny@bromleybrighterbeginnings.org.uk.
Share our mission
Sharing our mission is vital to our success. Especially if a financial contribution is not possible for you, you can still help raise awareness and it costs nothing!
- Save like and share our social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
- Share our leaflet with your local community – be it family, friends, neighbours, school groups, sports groups, local businesses – share away and ask them to share it too. Let’s spread the word throughout Bromley and beyond. Download the pdf below:
The difference you make!
Need our support?
School uniform requests must come via a referral: this could be any community professional supporting a family e.g. social workers, health visitors, teachers, refuge workers and charity professionals. We cannot accept self referrals. Professionals can register as a referrer here.
Whilst we accept referrals for school uniform all year round, our new school year School Uniform Referrals for September 2024 will open on 1st July 2024.
The deadline for uniform to be guaranteed in time for the start of the new school year is 14th August 2024.
To find out more use these links: Referrals and School Uniform Referral Form.
“A massive thank you to everyone who has helped turn around every single bit of uniform and equipment, at very short notice, for the boy who is starting at Coopers on Weds. I delivered about 90% of it tonight and the mum broke down and sobbed in her hallway. I cannot imagine the amount of stress she has been under, knowing that she may not have been able to send her son to school. So thank you, thank you, thank you for relieving that stress.”
Bromley Brighter Beginnings, Family Liaison Volunteer