The Lord Provost and President of the One City Trust, Robert Aldridge, today (October 24) visited the Edinburgh School Uniform Bank (ESUB) in Granton.
After meeting some of ESUB’s staff and volunteers, the Lord Provost helped to pack a bag of new uniform for a child who has been referred to the organisation.
ESUB provides school uniform to children who are facing hardship so that they can attend school without the stigma of wearing the ‘wrong’ clothes, as well as giving them the chance to take part in sports and social activities.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, and President of the One City Trust, Robert Aldridge said:
It was a real pleasure today to visit the Edinburgh School Uniform Bank. Through meeting some of the staff and volunteers I got an insight into the fantastic and essential work they carry out in communities across the city.
However, it is a shame that in the year 2023 that organisations like this are still necessary to properly clothe our children and have them ready for school.
I’m proud that the One City Trust can support organisations like ESUB, and I have no doubt that they will continue to make sure that no child ever wants for school clothes in Edinburgh. They have my full support and I look forward to working with them further.
Trustee of the Edinburgh School Uniform Bank, Julia Grindley said:
For over eight years, Edinburgh School Uniform Bank has boosted the wellbeing and inclusion of the city’s most disadvantaged children and young people by ensuring that they can participate fully in all school activities with confidence, regardless of their family’s circumstances. We are delighted to show the Lord Provost around today.
We work closely with over 100 schools and many other professional partners to provide new school uniforms, footwear, and other essentials to thousands of children every year. Many families are in dire straits, and children are going without. The cost-of-living crisis is making it increasingly difficult to keep up with demand for our services, and we need the support of the whole community, to avoid us turning families away.
Today we are launching our Winter Warmers appeal. We hope that people and businesses all over Edinburgh will do what they can to make sure that every child can stay cosy and go to school with their head held high this winter.
About the One City Trust:
The mission of the One City Trust is to fight inequality and exclusion in the City of Edinburgh. It is an independent charity which is uniquely linked to the city.
The Trust was established in 2003 in response to the One City report of the Lord Provost’s Commission on Social Exclusion. It uses the idea of a ‘community foundation’ to give people and organisations a means to reach across the divides of the city and support those who are excluded from the community. A permanent endowment was established with a donation from the City of Edinburgh Council, which the Trust has added to over the years, and continues to build.
In 2012 with the creation of the ‘Lord Provost’s Rapid Action Fund’ the Trust acquired the ability to raise funds specifically for the purpose of giving out grants (rather than rely solely on the interest from the Trust).
Donations can be made on the One City Trust website.
About the Edinburgh School Uniform Bank:
In 2015 a group of local women decided to make life better for local children, young people and their families. At first, they were known as Edinburgh Back To School Bank but it soon became clear that children needed help with school essentials all year round so the name changed to Edinburgh School Uniform Bank, known as ESUB for short and became a registered charity in 2017.
ESUB is governed by a board of volunteer Trustees who oversee the strategic direction of the charity and keep on top of matters like finance, risk, and safeguarding. ESUB employs three dedicated part-time staff who are assisted by a fabulous team of volunteers.
In 2020 – ESUB received a Rapid Action Fund Grant of £2,000 from the One City Trust. The grant went towards rental for a new, larger premises with more space to sort, store, and pack bags of school uniform for local children.
By having a more central location, referring partners can collect bags more promptly and the clothing will reach children faster. The space is also used to run several volunteering sessions each week engaging with a wide range of volunteers in the local area. Since moving to our new space, ESUB have provided bespoke packs of new uniform to over 1,250 children, with a projected total of 1,400 for the whole of this year (around 10% more than last year).
In 2021 – Julia Grindley won the Lord Provosts ‘Inspiring Volunteer of the Year’ award for her work with the ESUB.
ESUB are now launching their ‘Winter Warmers’ appeal which will focus on collecting appropriate clothing and raising money as the colder months draw in.
For more information on donating and volunteering please visit the ESUB website.