The first day of back at school is over to many, but this week the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Northern Ireland (SVP NI) has said that due to the pressures of the cost of children going back to school, more and more families are struggling to afford other necessities.

Aidan Crawford, president of SVP NI explained: “With family budgets stretched even tighter due to continuous challenging employment conditions and rising costs in terms of food and utilities, the added expense of kitting out children for school can be beyond the means of many. We are finding that more and more families are coming to SVP across Northern Ireland for help at this time of year. The rising cost of uniforms, books, PE Kits and stationary, for example, forces families into serious problems affording basic necessities such as fuel or food.

“Our priority is to help alleviate poverty in local communities and we recognise that this is one of the particularly challenging times of the year for families. We would advise anyone that is struggling to make ends meet to call the SVP Regional Office on 9035 1561, in the first instance, to see if we can provide any practical support. We have a presence in every town and City across NI and our volunteers work to give people a hand-up to help them to become free from poverty.” The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is also helping families by offering low cost ‘as good as new’ official school uniform items in its Vincent’s charity shops across Northern Ireland.

Ruairi Murray, SVP shops co-ordinator explains: “One of our support services is our Vincent’s shops which stock previously used and worn items and we have noticed more and more families specifically asking if we have school uniform items.

“The cost of a basic secondary or grammar school uniform and PE kit can be daunting, in most cases costing more than £200. This is a challenging amount for some families, particularly those with more than one child who simply don’t have money like this available and it adds huge pressure to those who may already be struggling to meet bills. However, the same uniform items in our shops would be a fraction of the price and in very good condition. “In light of this increasing demand for uniform items, we are calling for the public to help by donating previously used uniform pieces which are still in good condition, into any of our charity shops across Northern Ireland at any time of the year. Just call in with outgrown items or even school equipment that is no longer needed and this could alleviate some of the pressures on another family. All donations are gratefully received and funds raised go back into supporting the work of SVP across local areas.” SVP is a volunteer-led organisation and teams work tirelessly, 365 days a year, to provide assistance to all sections of the community across Northern Ireland. Through Conferences (groups), the Society works with those in need, irrespective of creed, ethnic or social backgrounds, health, gender or political opinions, in local areas.

Around 1600 SVP volunteers provide the charity’s wide-ranging services in NI which includes making around 2,500 visits a week to marginalised and low-income individuals and families in need of support, as well as providing wide range of activities across the province including crèches, breakfast clubs and the management of 29 Vincent’s charity shops.

To find out more about St Vincent de Paul NI, please email call 02890 351561 or email info@svpni.co.uk.