Hundreds helped in Wolverhampton with cost of school uniform

Hundreds of families have been helped to buy school uniform for their children in the last year thanks to a key partnership between the council and Wolverhampton City Credit Union.

On this International Credit Union Day, the council is celebrating how the School Uniform Scheme has helped 596 children in the last year alone and more than 900 since the scheme started in 2024.

Children opening an account with the credit union under the scheme have their savings matched pound for pound to a maximum of £75 to purchase school uniform.

Funded by the Government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund, the scheme is aimed at helping children start good financial habits at a young age, while also supporting parents with the cost of uniform, which can be a constant worry.

The partnership is just one of the many ways the council is helping residents now with the cost of living and supporting them to build financial resilience for years to come. 

Chief Executive of Wolverhampton City Credit Union, Tameka Spencer said it shows the difference that can be made when organisations work together with a shared commitment to supporting local people.

‘For me, this partnership demonstrates exactly why credit unions are so important to our communities.

‘Our ethos has always been people helping people and the School Uniform Scheme has allowed us to put that principle into action by supporting local families with a cost that can place real pressure on household finances.

‘International Credit Union Day is an opportunity to celebrate not just what credit unions do, but why we do it

‘At Wolverhampton City Credit Union, we want local people to know that we are here for them, not just when they need financial services, but as an organisation that genuinely cares about the financial wellbeing of our community.

‘It is about dignity, inclusion and making sure people know that support is available within their community.

‘We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved in partnership with City of Wolverhampton Council.’

Leader of the council, Councillor Stephen Simkins said the council’s Cabinet had just agreed a refreshed Financial Wellbeing Strategy for the city and projects like this were key to helping people from a young age.

‘We’re determined to support our residents when they need us most and help them develop skills and habits to manage finances not only now in these difficult times, but also importantly throughout their lives.

‘Credit unions offer a great way to start taking control of finances and building knowledge and skills which can help people throughout their lives.

‘Getting people involved at a young age can only be a good thing, but I’d encourage people of all ages to check out the credit union and what it can offer to give them more peace of mind with their finances.

‘There’s never a better time than now, on this International Credit Union Day, to start saving and get a head start on affording things like school uniform.’

Find out more about what the Wolverhampton City Credit Union has to offer here: City Credit Union

Open your Child Savers Account online now by visiting:

www.wccul.co.uk/savings.

And find out more about other support the council can offer with the cost of living here Cost of Living Support | City Of Wolverhampton Council