We've supported 480 children across Sunderland with school uniforms and essential school items, helping families prepare for the new academic year and ensuring children have everything they need to start school with confidence.
The initiative provided children with a range of essential items, including school uniforms, shoes and a backpack containing school essentials such as notebooks, pens and water bottles.
The campaign was made possible through the generous support of several partners, including RE:GEN Group, Jewson Partnership Solutions, Love Amelia, PHS, ABCA Systems and MRI, who worked alongside our teams to help support local families.
Referrals were made by Gentoo colleagues across the business, ensuring support reached families most in need. In addition, colleagues volunteered their time to pack and distribute the uniform bags, helping the initiative run smoothly and maximising the support available to customers.
Uniforms and other items were distributed at Together for Children in Washington and the Mackem Community event at Sunderland City Hall in September. We donated the remaining items to community organisations, enabling even more families to benefit from the campaign throughout the year.
Survey feedback from families who received school uniform support highlights the positive impact the project had. More than 90% of people said the support made school uniforms more affordable, while 86% said the kit helped their family significantly. In addition, 94% would like to see the project return next year.
Some of the key benefits reported included helping children feel prepared and confident for the new school year. More than 40% of people said the kit helped their child feel ready for school, while 34% said it reduced worries about attending school.
Chris Roberts, Director of Customer at Gentoo, said:
"We know that the start of a new school year can place significant financial pressure on many families, particularly against the backdrop of continued cost-of-living challenges."
"This initiative was about more than providing uniforms and school supplies. It was about helping children feel confident, comfortable and ready to learn from day one, while easing some of the financial burden on parents and carers.
"We're incredibly grateful to our partners and to our colleagues who made the initiative a success. Their generosity and commitment have helped make a real difference to hundreds of children and families in Sunderland."
Simon Watson, Regional Operations Director for RE:GEN North East, said:
“We pride ourselves on being active partners, building relationships that go beyond the delivery of construction works. It’s about taking the time to really understand our partners, their customers and the communities they serve, identifying where we can do more and making sure we’re having the greatest possible impact.
“Working with Gentoo, this initiative is a great example of how we can go beyond our day-to-day delivery and work together to make a meaningful difference to local families."
The initiative forms part of our ongoing commitment to tackling child poverty and supporting customers and communities, helping families access practical support when they need it most and ensuring children are equipped to succeed both in and outside the classroom.
