Families seeing benefits as Omagh Uniform Exchange reopens to the public

A LOCAL school uniform exchange service welcomed hundreds through its doors after reopening to the public for the first time ahead of the new school term.

Omagh Uniform Exchange, situated at St Joseph's Hall, Omagh, saw large queues and heavy footfall on Thursday of last week, when an estimated 650 people turned up to get their children kitted out for school.

The exchange, which was set up four years ago, has fast become an essential local service, with uniform costs spiraling to over £350-per-child and parents feeling the pinch amidst the cost of living crisis.

But thanks to a dedicated team of over 70 volunteers, Omagh Uniform Exchange has helped to ease the financial burden of school uniforms - and local families are already seeing the benefits.

According to one service user, the money she saved on uniforms has allowed her to take her children for a night away, while another has been able to save money for other essential items, thanks to the services offered at the exchange.

Founder, Cathy McNamee, said she is incredibly happy that the exchange is having a positive impact on the lives of local people.

"The uniform exchange has become an important service in terms of returning to school," she said. "At present it's clear that there isn't the money in the family budgets to pay out for school uniforms, and if we can help reduce that cost by getting them something second hand that is just as good!

"We are already starting to see the benefits. One woman in particular said the money she had saved on school uniforms mean't she was able to take her kids away for a night before going back to school. It's really nice that people are seeing the benefits to their families.

"This has been used for a massive cross-section of the community, it was great to see so many people coming through the door, and so many people willing to donate. All-in-all, there is as much going out as there is going in, and we are so grateful for this steady flow of donations.

"However, at present we have a shortage of blazers and PE kits, so if anyone is able to donate these items, it would be greatly appreciated. Equally so, people don't know that we take shoes, schoolbags and coats as well, so if anyone can donate these items we will happily take them."

A number of local politicians have pledged their support to the local service.

DUP councillor, Errol Thompson visited the uniform exchange and said he was impressed with the size and reach of the operation.

Reaffirming his support, councillor Thompson has offered to assist the exchange as they seek to formalise the organisation and work towards becoming a constituted group.

Meanwhile, his party colleague, Shirley Hawkes, also praised the invaluable service being offered.

Having visited the exchange on Thursday of last week, councillor Hawkes said: "With the ever-increasing cost of living more and more families are finding it extremely difficult to meet the exorbitant cost of school uniforms for the incoming school term.

"For parents with three or four children to kit out with a uniform, at an average cost of £300 per child it is simply impossible for them to meet this cost.

"The School Uniform Exchange has been a great benefit to many families struggling to cope with the increasing costs of uniforms and the unprecedented demand they are met with is testimony to the problems which currently exist amongst many families.

"Going forward the cost of school uniforms is an issue which consideration must be given to by the Department of Education and the Education Authority as to how the cost to the family purse can be reduced.”

SDLP MLA, Daniel McCrossan, has also pledged his support - but he said it shouldn't be up to local services to "fill gaps" left by a lack of a functioning executive at Stormont.

The MLA said: "As SDLP education spokesperson I have been highlighting the issues around the cost of school uniforms for a number of years. Things have got worse recently with the cost of living crisis”

“For post primary schools, we here in Northern Ireland give a grant half the size as Scotland, Wales and England, and just over a third the size as the grant in the Republic.

“School uniform exchanges like the one in Omagh do great work, but it’s not their job to fill the gaps caused by the lack of a functioning Executive.

“We need an Executive in place so we can tackle the current scandal over school Uniform prices. The Minister needs to legislate to introduce statutory guidance, make the guidance force schools to look at affordable options, and look to increase the overall grant given here in the North.”